Bottom Line

2022 proved disastrous for Jones. An ankle injury, a poor supporting cast, and a terrible coaching staff stunted any potential for growth.

New England’s pass-catching corps looks improved in 2023 – but not significantly. The key here is the arrival of OC Bill O’Brien, who supplies the team with the offensive leadership they lacked last fall.

Ultimately, Jones is just a low-end QB2.

What We Learned Last Year

• Jones finished as the QB22 in 14 games.
• He was an unreliable, low-ceiling fantasy option. The second-year QB tallied only one top-6 fantasy week; two inside the top-12.
• Jones offered little with his legs. He hit 15 rushing yards in only 3 outings.
• Jones rushed only three times inside the 10-yard line, which produced his only NFL rushing TD.
• He sat out three games with a Week 3 high-ankle sprain. He was benched for poor performance upon returning in Week 7 but returned to the starting lineup in Week 8.
• Overall, Jones’ numbers dipped from a promising rookie season. His yards per attempt, TD rate, completion rate, and Pro Football Focus passing grade all declined.
• The Patriots averaged only 59.2 plays per game – 28th league-wide.
• They ranked a mid-pack 17th in Football Outsiders’ situation-neutral pace.
• We have to factor in New England’s poor coaching staff, which featured the defensive-minded Matt Patricia at play-caller.
• The Pats’ supporting cast wasn’t an asset, either. Their top-5 target earners: Jakobi Meyers, Rhamondre Stevenson, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor, and Kendrick Bourne.

What to Expect in 2023

• Early in the offseason, rumors circulated that the Patriots made Jones available via trade.
• HC Bill Belichick wouldn’t confirm Jones as the Week 1 starter back in March, but all indications are he’ll remain the QB1 over Bailey Zappe.
• 2023 turns up a bit more optimism, simply because the Patriots now have a real offensive coordinator. Long-time Patriots staffer Bill O’Brien returned to call plays.
• O’Brien never coached Jones at Alabama. But the long-time coach spent 2021-2022 there, and there’s expected to be some of the same concepts installed as the Nick Saban-led offense that Jones learned.
• New England’s pass-catching corps lost Jakobi Meyers but saw JuJu Smith-Schuster arrive in free agency. Call it a lateral move.
• Mike Gesicki arrived to supply a “big slot” upgrade on Jonnu Smith. At 6’6, Gesicki should give Jones a much-needed red zone body.
• The Pats return the bulk of an O-line that ranked 12th in Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade. New RT Riley Reiff, 34, looks like a potential weak link.