Mac Jones' Struggles with the Patriots Spark Sharp Criticism from Nick Saban After a Strong Start with the 49ers
Mac Jones has been turning heads this season, remaining undefeated in his first three starts as the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback. His impressive performance has not only earned the admiration of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan but also made his former college coach, Nick Saban, beam with pride. But here’s where it gets controversial: Saban openly criticized the New England Patriots' coaching staff for failing to nurture Jones properly during his time there.
When the Patriots selected Jones 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Saban expected him to thrive. However, according to Saban, Jones was never given the right environment or support to succeed in New England. "I'm so happy for Mac," Saban shared recently on "The Pat McAfee Show." He elaborated, "Mac was stuck in some tough situations in New England, especially regarding coaching and offensive leadership. The offensive coordinator role was unstable, and the way he was developed when he entered the league was far from ideal. Now, he's in a much better spot with Shanahan and their offensive system."
Jones’ underwhelming tenure with the Patriots was a significant factor in the unraveling of Bill Belichick’s legendary 24-year run as head coach, which ended in January 2024. The split, driven by both Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft, followed a dismal 4-13 season in 2023, where the Patriots finished last in the AFC East and missed the playoffs for the third time in four years.
Looking back, Jones’ stats took a nosedive after his rookie year, where he threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The offensive struggles intensified when Belichick handed play-calling duties to Matt Patricia and Joe Judge in 2022 after Josh McDaniels left as offensive coordinator. Over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Jones managed only 24 touchdown passes against 23 interceptions, with a quarterback rating (QBR) ranking near the bottom of the league.
In a fresh start, Jones signed a two-year contract with the 49ers during the offseason, stepping in as the primary backup to Brock Purdy. His recent performance, especially in last week’s thrilling overtime victory against the Los Angeles Rams, where he threw two touchdown passes, has been nothing short of remarkable.
"He played his heart out," Shanahan praised. "Mac was outstanding in the first half, even though he took some hits in the second. He fought through the pain and, most importantly, protected the football against a tough defense. Throwing that many passes without a turnover is impressive. I can’t say enough good things about him."
Jones’ football journey began with great promise at Alabama, where he won two national championships under Saban’s guidance. His senior year in 2020 was exceptional—he earned consensus All-American honors while leading the undefeated Crimson Tide with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. Many of those touchdowns were caught by Heisman Trophy winner and fellow first-round NFL draft pick DeVonta Smith.
This story raises some compelling questions: Was Mac Jones’ potential truly stifled by the Patriots’ coaching decisions? Could a different approach have changed the trajectory of his career earlier? And what does this say about the importance of coaching stability and player development in the NFL? Share your thoughts—do you agree with Saban’s critique, or do you think Jones’ struggles were more about his own limitations? Let’s get the conversation going!
