Mac Jones is Working His Ass Off to, in His Words, 'Re-Earn the Respect'

If I have one natural talent that has served me well in this life, it's not my good looks, charisma, intellect or the voice of an angel. It's the gift of self-awareness. 

I am well aware how I and every Patriots fan is being perceived right now. We're all seen as pathetic. Desperate for our team to be relevant again. Clinging to every minor hope as a sign that things are going to return to the way they were back in long, long ago of 2018. And while I don't much appreciate the characterization, the larger point that we're looking for hope is spot-on. 

The question isn't whether we want signs of a brighter tomorrow. It's whether the positives we're seeing so far in 2023 are legitimate reasons to be hopeful. And I have no problems with saying they are. Bill O'Brien was the perfect man for the jobs of offensive coordinator and QB coach. He's bringing Will Lawing, who's been with him at every stop in his career since Penn State, to replace our only coaching loss Nick Caley, running the tight ends. And they've added Adrian Klemm to take over the offensive line. Win. Win. Win. 

And nobody needs hope more than Mac Jones, after a step-back Year 2. He needs it for himself, and he needs to deliver it to a fan base who thought we were all set at that position for the next 20 years after he was the best of a celebrated rookie quarterback class. Obviously O'Brien is a huge piece of that. But it's going to have to come from Jones himself if he's going to erase memories like frustration boiling over into sideline tirades and a packed stadium chanting for Bailey Zappe, of all bloody things. 

If the latest is any indication, we can check that box as well. Because Jones is training with former Texas Tech and Chargers quarterback Nic Shimonek, who has among his other clients Saquon Barkley and Christian Barmore. 

More to the point, Jones himself is blessed with self-awareness. Enough to demonstrate he understands what's at stake as he maintains this grueling, Rocky montage-like fitness regimen:

That's the perfect definition of "gets it." Jones understands that he won a huge measure of respect around the league with his rookie season. How he proved to the rest of the league he belonged. He beat out a veteran former MVP to win the starting job. Never left the field except in blowout wins. Proved he could process information, understand what defenses were trying to do, and make good decisions. He handled pressure well enough to outplay Tom Brady on a Sunday night game. Had the mental toughness to bounce back from mistakes, like following up a pick-6 to Trevon Diggs with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Kendrick Bourne to retake the lead against the Cowboys late in the 4th. And of course, winning 10 games and getting his team back to the playoffs. 

But the unnatural disaster that was the 2022 offense cost Jones a lot of that goodwill. And it's obvious he not only recognizes it, he's using it as extra added motivation. He's made it into his slogan. A rallying cry. He understands respect won't be given to him. Like he did as a rookie, he'll have to earn it. Re-earn it. And that journey toward winning it back is already well underway. 

At least we know Jones never lost respect in the locker room. The best player on the team the last two seasons can confirm:

So go ahead. Tell yourself Pats fans are desperate for something to be hopeful about. Just believe Mac Jones is not worth putting our hope in at your peril.