The New England Patriots are only breaking the record of poor performances in the 2023 NFL season. The team with six Super Bowl titles in the last two decades is struggling to secure a mere win this season. Their recent performance is raising more speculations about head coach Bill Belichick’s sacking rumors, albeit he boldly shut down the discussion days ago.
After securing a victory against the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots lost three consecutive games. The team’s defense has been doing its job well but the offense, led by quarterback Mac Jones, has been failing to ensure a good score. Meanwhile, a recent update shows Jones’ poor performance might be caused due to his medical condition.
Is Mac Jones suffering from any medical condition?
In the Patriots Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Mac Jones got sidelined as the other QB Bailey Zappe took the lead. It was later known that the reason was injury-related as the signal-caller got his X-rays following the match. He said he had been fine health-wise and would not require rehab during the bye week, per Yahoo Sports.
However, according to a recent report by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Patriots team believes that Mac might be struggling from a case of the yips, a sudden and unexplained loss of skills typical to a player’s ability. It affects the cognition and motor function of players and is rooted in a neurological issue that might have an adverse effect on specific muscles.
The former Indianapolis Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt sustained a case of the yips while playing the 2005 playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had a high accuracy rate through eight seasons before being cut in the offseason due to medical and never could return to his early form. Hence, Mac Jones recent poor performance might be an aftermath of his complex medical condition, as speculated by some fans and analysts.
Mac Jones trade rumors reignite after bad performances this NFL season
In the Pats’ 6-10 loss to the Colts on Sunday, Mac Jones threw a poor red-zone interception on the second-to-last drive before getting replaced by Zappe. After having a lackluster season last year, the signal-caller was given another chance this year with the aim of an improved performance. However, his turnover issue is getting worse day by day, and Breer noted that given the way he is proceeding this season, he is losing the trust of the front office members, igniting another trade rumor.
“They were sold a smart, efficient game-managing quarterback and they’re getting a guy that makes a lot mistakes out there that doesn’t do the smart thing that often. There’s not a lot of confidence in Mac Jones right now inside that building.”
The Patriots’ No. 15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is 212 of 324 for 2,031 yards with 10 touchdowns this season. Meanwhile, he set an infamous record by becoming the first quarterback in the league to hit 10 interceptions this season. Even the team’s former tight end Rob Gronkowski suggested him to leave the franchise and start a new journey with the Cleveland Browns who have problems at QB room due to Deshaun Watson’s injury.
Do you think that Mac Jones might be released from the Pats following his recent performance? Tell us in the comments.
