The Michael McCorkle "Mac" Jones Thread

[Cellar-Door]

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Mac is not as bad as he played today. This one really got away from him. I’m not convinced he is better than Zappe if he is going to make decisions like he did today. I do t see better options out there for the Pats right now. Who backed up Watson when BOB was there?

Both with Watson and without, here are the backups for BOB who were still in the league as of last year:
Case Keenum (on HOU now)
Brian Hoyer (now on LV)
Taylor Heinicke (now on ATL)



Here are the ones who have been out of the league more than a year with their last season:
Ryan FItzpatrick (2021)
Ryan Mallett (2017, also dead)
TJ Yates (2017)
Brandon Weedon (2018)
Tom Savage 2017
Brock Osweiler (2018)
Joe Web

 

[rodderick]

For all the arguments about Mac's surrounding cast, this morning two truths seem clear to me:

- Mac's surrounding cast isn't that good

- and Mac isn't an NFL caliber starting QB.

The two ideas do not strike me as mutually exclusive.

Mac is now 0-11 when his team is the underdog. That is a sign that he is nothing, he can't elevate his team, he can't ball out and make plays, he can't lift a team above where they "should" be. All good QBs have that ability to some extent. Mac doesn't have it, he's never had it, and he never will have it.

His physical skills are, if anything, getting worse. And the supposed smarts for the game haven't materialized.

This is what bothers me the most. He can only step into throws and deliver the ball accurately and on time if his pre snap read is confirmed and the first option on the play wins immediately as expected. Anything else and he's slow to react, his footwork gets all out of sorts and he doesn't throw with any anticipation. He's just not anywhere near as good a processor as I thought he'd be.

 

[Jinhocho]

For all the arguments about Mac's surrounding cast, this morning two truths seem clear to me:

- Mac's surrounding cast isn't that good

- and Mac isn't an NFL caliber starting QB.

The two ideas do not strike me as mutually exclusive.

Mac is now 0-11 when his team is the underdog. That is a sign that he is nothing, he can't elevate his team, he can't ball out and make plays, he can't lift a team above where they "should" be. All good QBs have that ability to some extent. Mac doesn't have it, he's never had it, and he never will have it.

His physical skills are, if anything, getting worse. And the supposed smarts for the game haven't materialized.

100% agree.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

This is what bothers me the most. He can only step into throws and deliver the ball accurately and on time if his pre snap read is confirmed and the first option on the play wins immediately as expected. Anything else and he's slow to react, his footwork gets all out of sorts and he doesn't throw with any anticipation. He's just not anywhere near as good a processor as I thought he'd be.

If you need a QB to be in a perfect situation to succeed, you don't have a QB because there is no such thing as a perfect situation.

I suspect Mac is like Brian Hoyer in that he's very smart and an analyze the game well when he's not playing, but on the field he's simply not able to be quick enough with anything.

 

[DJnVa]

If you need a QB to be in a perfect situation to succeed, you don't have a QB because there is no such thing as a perfect situation.

I suspect Mac is like Brian Hoyer in that he's very smart and an analyze the game well when he's not playing, but on the field he's simply not able to be quick enough with anything.

I think he's above a Hoyer, but I'm trending towards your POV. Unfortunately. I don't think it was a bad pick at all, but I'm now leaning more towards being surprised if he turns this around as opposed to "he needs some time in this new offense".

That said, if Pats are in a spot to draft a top QB next spring (and with Gonzalez and Judon injuries, we may be), every other dollar better be spent on OL, because otherwise it might not matter.

 

[rodderick]

If you need a QB to be in a perfect situation to succeed, you don't have a QB because there is no such thing as a perfect situation.

I suspect Mac is like Brian Hoyer in that he's very smart and an analyze the game well when he's not playing, but on the field he's simply not able to be quick enough with anything.

I think he's much better than Brian Hoyer, but I went from believing he could be a guy that was capable of putting up great offense with great weapons around him (like, say, Tua has been doing) to thinking he'd be the weak link on a team like that. You can give him the weapons and a great OL, I still think they'd be worse on offense than you'd expect because of him. Of course they'd be better, I just think that he's Ryan Tannehill. Yeah, when everything was humming around him he looked really good, and then it came the time where he needed to make a play against a good team in a crucial moment and he basically never could.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I think he's much better than Brian Hoyer, but I went from believing he could be a guy that was capable of putting up great offense with great weapons around him (like, say, Tua has been doing) to thinking he'd be the weak link on a team like that. You can give him the weapons and a great OL, I still think they'd be worse on offense than you'd expect because of him. Of course they'd be better, I just think that he's Ryan Tannehill. Yeah, when everything was humming around him he looked really good, and then it came the time where he needed to make a play against a good team in a crucial moment and he basically never could.

If he turned into Tannehill we ought to be ecstatic. He's nowhere near that level.

 

[rodderick]

If he turned into Tannehill we ought to be ecstatic. He's nowhere near that level.

I think that's what he could be with all the guys around him, Miami Tannehill was basically the same player as Mac, even if he had a harder passing environment to deal with.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I think that's what he could be with all the guys around him, Miami Tannehill was basically the same player as Mac, even if he had a harder passing environment to deal with.

IIRC Tannehill is a far superior physical player. Much better arm than Mac.

 

[rodderick]

IIRC Tannehill is a far superior physical player. Much better arm than Mac.

He's bigger, faster and with a stronger arm, just don't think he produced at a substantially different level before getting the guys around him.

 

[Sille Skrub]

Mac is now 0-11 when his team is the underdog. That is a sign that he is nothing, he can't elevate his team, he can't ball out and make plays, he can't lift a team above where they "should" be. All good QBs have that ability to some extent. Mac doesn't have it

This is what is most telling for me about Mac.

Admittedly, we have been spoiled by the best to ever to it. However, there hasn't been one time where Mac went out and won the game. He has had many opportunities (and nobody is going to do it as often as Brady did), but the fact that he never has done it tells me he is out of his league on this level.

 

[j44thor]

Currently Henry and Bourne lead the Pats receivers with 176/175 yards each. That is good enough for 54/55th place in the NFL. The only teams with worse receiver production are KC, Kelce leads with 155yds but missed 1 game, and NYG with Waller leading with 132 yards and plays tonight.
Couple that with Mac's suckitude and I think you can make the argument this is the worst offensive unit in the NFL, at least in the discussion with CAR who is somehow getting a resurgence from 75YO Adam Thielen and NYG who sorely miss Saquon.

Mac clearly isn't the answer, the problem is there are maybe 1-2 QBs that would succeed with this cast and the future looks worse not better.

Taking a deeper look I think the only offensive unit I wouldn't trade straight up for would be CAR as I think Rham is still better than Sanders and Young isn't going to be long for this league. Even the Jets have building blocks in Garret WIlson and Breece Hall that NE could only dream of.

 

[8slim]

I haven’t been all in on the weak arm stuff with Mac. But, man alive, a couple of those pics yesterday were simply awful, weak throws.

A NFL caliber QB can’t make those throws, they looked like what you’d see from a below average college QB (who can use his legs as a weapon, unlike Mac).

I’m out after seeing those throws. He’s not good enough, and won’t be.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Yesterday didn't really change how I view Mac, I still view him as basically fringe starter. This is what happens with fringe starter level guys, they have these games where they just melt down because things snowball, or they try to do things they can't. Mac to me is not the future less because he's so attrocious and more because he doesn't have upside worth his downside. He's just not going to give you enough plus play, he's Matt Cassell.

Currently Henry and Bourne lead the Pats receivers with 176/175 yards each. That is good enough for 54/55th place in the NFL. The only teams with worse receiver production are KC, Kelce leads with 155yds but missed 1 game, and NYG with Waller leading with 132 yards and plays tonight.
Couple that with Mac's suckitude and I think you can make the argument this is the worst offensive unit in the NFL, at least in the discussion with CAR who is somehow getting a resurgence from 75YO Adam Thielen and NYG who sorely miss Saquon.

Mac clearly isn't the answer, the problem is there are maybe 1-2 QBs that would succeed with this cast and the future looks worse not better.

Taking a deeper look I think the only offensive unit I wouldn't trade straight up for would be CAR as I think Rham is still better than Sanders and Young isn't going to be long for this league. Even the Jets have building blocks in Garret WIlson and Breece Hall that NE could only dream of.

I think that when you get through a whole lot of WRs/TEs who perform much better on their previous teams (and often perform better when they leave to new teams) you have to stop blaming everything on the supporting cast. I think there are a lot of QBs who would perform fine with this cast. Not mind-blowing big time offense, but competent mediocrity.

 

[rodderick]

One thing that I'm finding a bit interesting along with the "we're hearing some bad things from NE" angle that we've heard in the broadcast and from Cowherd is the extent to which Mike Lombardi is shitting on the kid. I don't think he'd do that if Bill strongly believed in Mac. Also thought they were a little too loose with the "is he the guy? I don't know, I think he might not be" talk in the booth yesterday. All that to say I'm smelling a rat here, I think the coaching staff is already planting the "can't win with this guy" seeds. Also there's this. I don't know, I'm against the whole "can't know what Mac is if you don't have great talent around him" angle, but the roster construction has been shit and I don't love where this little narrative is going.

 

[j44thor]

Yesterday didn't really change how I view Mac, I still view him as basically fringe starter. This is what happens with fringe starter level guys, they have these games where they just melt down because things snowball, or they try to do things they can't. Mac to me is not the future less because he's so attrocious and more because he doesn't have upside worth his downside. He's just not going to give you enough plus play, he's Matt Cassell.



I think that when you get through a whole lot of WRs/TEs who perform much better on their previous teams (and often perform better when they leave to new teams) you have to stop blaming everything on the supporting cast. I think there are a lot of QBs who would perform fine with this cast. Not mind-blowing big time offense, but competent mediocrity.

No one they have has performed at a high level prior to coming to NE is part of the problem. You can't sign and trade for teams 3/4th receivers and expect them to become 1s and 2s. Bill used to build teams by signing Bs and Cs and coaching them up to As which he still seems to be able to do on the defensive side of the ball. Problem is he signs Cs on offense and coaches them into Cs and Ds. Just look at Jonnu in ATL, who would be leading NE in receiving, and Desmond Ridder is one of the few QBs I wouldn't trade Mac for.

 

[Justthetippett]

One thing that I'm finding a bit interesting along with the "we're hearing some bad things from NE" angle that we've heard in the broadcast and from Cowherd is the extent to which Mike Lombardi is shitting on the kid. I don't think he'd do that if Bill strongly believed in Mac. Also thought they were a little too loose with the "is he the guy? I don't know, I think he might not be" talk in the booth yesterday. All that to say I'm smelling a rat here, I think the coaching staff is already planting the "can't win with this guy" seeds.

I honestly can't see BB and his staff playing these games. He's never seen himself as accountable to the media and fanbase. If he thought Mac was not his guy, he'd sit him, cut him, whatever he thought was "in the best interests of the team". They tried to bring in Corral, who in theory is a much bigger threat than Zappe. The fact that Mac keeps starting speaks more to the lack of other options than anything else.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I honestly can't see BB and his staff playing these games. He's never seen himself as accountable to the media and fanbase. If he thought Mac was not his guy, he'd sit him, cut him, whatever he thought was "in the best interests of the team". They tried to bring in Corral, who in theory is a much bigger threat than Zappe. The fact that Mac keeps starting speaks more to the lack of other options than anything else.

BB said yesterday that Mac will start against the Saints, so he has gone well out of his way to quash any nascent QB controversy. Of course it helps in that regard that Zappe stinks.

 

[rodderick]

I honestly can't see BB and his staff playing these games. He's never seen himself as accountable to the media and fanbase. If he thought Mac was not his guy, he'd sit him, cut him, whatever he thought was "in the best interests of the team". They tried to bring in Corral, who in theory is a much bigger threat than Zappe. The fact that Mac keeps starting speaks more to the lack of other options than anything else.

He's never had his job questioned either. And I mean, the whole "Mac is calling around teams for help on offense" stuff leaked last year, I think we'd be naive to assume they don't talk and push their stuff to buddies.

 

[Cellar-Door]

No one they have has performed at a high level prior to coming to NE is part of the problem. You can't sign and trade for teams 3/4th receivers and expect them to become 1s and 2s. Bill used to build teams by signing Bs and Cs and coaching them up to As which he still seems to be able to do on the defensive side of the ball. Problem is he signs Cs on offense and coaches them into Cs and Ds. Just look at Jonnu in ATL, who would be leading NE in receiving, and Desmond Ridder is one of the few QBs I wouldn't trade Mac for.

Juju was the #1 WR (#2 overall option) in KC, he put up 933 yards on 101 targets and was their best WR all year for a SB winner. (he was also a #1/2 in PIT previously, who struggled with a stretch of injuries).
Bourne is closest to the #3 guy, he was the #2 in SF, but mostly because Deebo got hurt.
Parker was the #1 in MIA for a while, then the #2 after Waddle.
Gesicki... #2 or #3 option with MIA until the new coach phased him out


People keep creating this myth that the Patriots are signing guys deep off the bench of other teams... we aren't. We have a bunch of guys who were #2 or very low end #1 WRs. These aren't scrubs. As to coaching them up.... does anyone really think Bill is running the WR group personally?

 

[Curtis Pride]

Mac seems to be limited in a way that he has to be "perfect" to perform well and give his team a chance to win. When he's less than perfect (and he usually is), he has no shot at leading his team to victory. Then with such enormous pressure of being perfect he makes more mistakes and then spirals out of control.

A QB with more talent can be less than perfect and still win games.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Mac is simply not a credible NFL QB.

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1708850839496835472

 

[Toe Nash]

I think he's above a Hoyer, but I'm trending towards your POV. Unfortunately. I don't think it was a bad pick at all, but I'm now leaning more towards being surprised if he turns this around as opposed to "he needs some time in this new offense".

This is interesting to ponder. If all you get from Mac is one playoff game and 3-4 years of OK starting QB play, and then a comp pick when he signs elsewhere, yeah that's good value for a #15 pick but you have to think about what could have turned the team around faster. Spending picks on other positions like OL in 2021, then maybe you're worse with a placeholder QB in 2022 and you can grab a Garrett Wilson, or you trade down and fill up on future picks. In any case you still need a QB and you still have to hit on picks but you end up with a much better team overall with potential superstar / cornerstone guys that maybe someone like Cousins can take on a run.

This is the big issue with BB the GM is that he's not a great person to take on a rebuild because he's always going to prioritize the current team not being terrible. If he didn't think that way he wouldn't have signed Cam Newton. He also doesn't like trading up. I respect the hell out of that but it's going to keep the team in purgatory unless he hits on some offensive stars in the later rounds.

 

[8slim]

I was all in on Joe Fields and was disappointed when they didn’t trade up for him and settled on Mac.

He’s lousy, but at least Fields does one thing well.

 

[sezwho]

I honestly can't see BB and his staff playing these games. He's never seen himself as accountable to the media and fanbase. If he thought Mac was not his guy, he'd sit him, cut him, whatever he thought was "in the best interests of the team". They tried to bring in Corral, who in theory is a much bigger threat than Zappe. The fact that Mac keeps starting speaks more to the lack of other options than anything else.

Maybe not his current staff (maybe?) but what about his favor currying toadies in Mangini and Lombardi? They know they only have value through Bill and they know what they are spouting. BB comes across less like he’s above it and more like a petty child continuing to take no responsibility for anything. Finish strong Bill, please.

 

[lexrageorge]

I was all in on Joe Fields and was disappointed when they didn’t trade up for him and settled on Mac.

He’s lousy, but at least Fields does one thing well.

I don't think the conversations here would be much different than if Justin Fields was QB. Nor the results. A couple of good games surrounded by a bunch of stinkers would not change things very much from where they are now.

 

[luckiestman]

Maybe not his current staff (maybe?) but what about his favor currying toadies in Mangini and Lombardi? They know they only have value through Bill and they know what they are spouting. BB comes across less like he’s above it and more like a petty child continuing to take no responsibility for anything. Finish strong Bill, please.

Doee Bill even talk to Mangini? Lombardi resume is a lot more than just BB. He would carry water for Bill but he doesn’t need to be carrying water to kill a QB.

 

[luckiestman]

I don't think the conversations here would be much different than if Justin Fields was QB. Nor the results. A couple of good games surrounded by a bunch of stinkers would not change things very much from where they are now.

Fields would be easier to dream on because of his traits. Mac winning would look like Brad Johnson or something and when that’s not going good there is no dream.

 

[lexrageorge]

Fields would be easier to dream on because of his traits. Mac winning would look like Brad Johnson or something and when that’s not going good there is no dream.

I could see it being more frustrating - we would be screaming "why couldn't they build a team that plays to Fields' strengths who can make plays on his own", hoping game after game that we would see Aaron Rodgers break out.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Fields would be easier to dream on because of his traits. Mac winning would look like Brad Johnson or something and when that’s not going good there is no dream.

Basically they aimed low when they drafted Mac and they still missed.

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

I can’t tell if this is sarcasm or emotions or what, but if you really feel this way, you really shouldn’t post your thoughts on quarterback play anywhere public unless you wanna be clowned for being profoundly dumb

More so emotions. Wilson sucks. Mac isn’t the answer though.

 

[lexrageorge]

Basically they aimed low when they drafted Mac and they still missed.

How were they supposed to draft Fields?

 

[8slim]

Basically they aimed low when they drafted Mac and they still missed.

The whole plan has just never really come together. I have to think that Bill asked his buddy at Bama about Mac, and was told that while he wasn’t going to be an elite NFL QB, he could be a guy who could win a title if you surrounded him with good talent.

And that’s what they tried to do. Hence the FA spree that off-season. It kinda worked, they did win 10 games and made the playoffs. But I don’t think people really appreciated how much McDaniels had to do with that. He’s a lousy HC, but the man can coordinate the hell out of an offense.

Mac hasn’t improved at all from that year, and the talent around him has actually declined IMO. The OL is weaker, we have less weapons at RB, and the WRs keep getting worse.

 

[8slim]

How were they supposed to draft Fields?

Trade up. Like the Bears did.

 

[lexrageorge]

Trade up. Like the Bears did.

That would have worked out how? Fewer picks and a bad QB would be the result. I guess I just don't understand the love for Fields in this thread; bad QB play is bad QB play no matter how you slice it.

 

[jezza1918]

Basically they aimed low when they drafted Mac and they still missed.

Out of curiosity how much do we think behind the scenes coaching plays a role in this miss? Im trying to take away all other variables (schedule, skill guys, line, etc)...he put up perfectly decent numbers his rookie year, but it seems hasn't added anything to his game that is much discussed in this thread (footwork, arm strength, etc). If anything, he may have regressed in certain areas. What level of culpability lies with him vs the coaches around him?

 

[8slim]

That would have worked out how? Fewer picks and a bad QB would be the result. I guess I just don't understand the love for Fields in this thread; bad QB play is bad QB play no matter how you slice it.

I didn’t say I loved him and I don’t think anyone else did.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I was all in on Joe Fields and was disappointed when they didn’t trade up for him and settled on Mac.

He’s lousy, but at least Fields does one thing well.

Justin Fields

 

[johnmd20]

Disagree about Baker 100%. He’s playing pretty well in Tampa and he’s better than Mac.

Saying Baker is worse than Mac is a molten lava take.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Out of curiosity how much do we think behind the scenes coaching plays a role in this miss? Im trying to take away all other variables (schedule, skill guys, line, etc)...he put up perfectly decent numbers his rookie year, but it seems hasn't added anything to his game that is much discussed in this thread (footwork, arm strength, etc). If anything, he may have regressed in certain areas. What level of culpability lies with him vs the coaches around him?

little of both probably. A lot of QB work is with their own specialists, like Brady added most tweaks over the summer working with his guys. On the other hand, teaching him reads is a lot of coaches in season (though really mostly it's something QBs either get or don't).

More though, I don't think Mac's problems are that much coachable... he sometimes has the footwork and mechanics, but he panics and loses them too often, a coach can't teach you how to feel when you have actual pressure or not, he can't teach you not to try dumb passes or throw off your back foot... he can emphasize it.. but it isn't an issue of not knowing, it's losing everything you know in the game situation.

Actually I think we've noted, his footwork and mechanics look a bit better when he's on this year, last week he had some throws he probably doesn't make other years... but the minute something goes wrong he forgets it all.

Saying Baker is worse than Mac is a molten lava take.

I'll admit I have not watched a minute of him this year, so I'm mostly going off the late Browns years post shoulder tear when he was.... really bad. Good to hear from people's perspective that he's making it back.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

Justin Fields

Yes, Joe Fields was a Syracuse QB.

 

[jezza1918]

little of both probably. A lot of QB work is with their own specialists, like Brady added most tweaks over the summer working with his guys. On the other hand, teaching him reads is a lot of coaches in season (though really mostly it's something QBs either get or don't).

More though, I don't think Mac's problems are that much coachable... he sometimes has the footwork and mechanics, but he panics and loses them too often, a coach can't teach you how to feel when you have actual pressure or not, he can't teach you not to try dumb passes or throw off your back foot... he can emphasize it.. but it isn't an issue of not knowing, it's losing everything you know in the game situation.

Actually I think we've noted, his footwork and mechanics look a bit better when he's on this year, last week he had some throws he probably doesn't make other years... but the minute something goes wrong he forgets it all.


I'll admit I have not watched a minute of him this year, so I'm mostly going off the late Browns years post shoulder tear when he was.... really bad. Good to hear from people's perspective that he's making it back.

Thanks, that's a pretty informative and insightful response.
Regarding Baker, I have a huge soft spot for him as a very good friend worked with him on the progressive ads and had glowing things to say about him...so Im happy he's playing well so far this season. But he was terrible at the end in cleveland, and last year went 1-5 for a panthers team that managed a 6-5 record with Darnold and Walker at the helm. All these guys (Mac, Baker, Tannehill, Cousins) belong in the same bucket IMO - in really good situations they can be effective. Like in some hypothetical world where Mac goes to SF to be a backup, and Purdy goes down, would it really surprise anyone to see Mac putting up solid to good numbers?

 

[luckiestman]

I'll admit I have not watched a minute of him this year, so I'm mostly going off the late Browns years post shoulder tear when he was.... really bad. Good to hear from people's perspective that he's making it back.

I have been watching him because I’m a sucker for underdogs. I expected disaster in Tampa.

He is slinging it. Vikings and Chicago don’t play D but he was impressive against the Saints and their D is pretty good.

 

[rodderick]

I didn’t say I loved him and I don’t think anyone else did.

I really liked Fields and would have rather traded up for him at the time. Don't think the team would be in any different a spot now, though.

 

[Justthetippett]

Maybe not his current staff (maybe?) but what about his favor currying toadies in Mangini and Lombardi? They know they only have value through Bill and they know what they are spouting. BB comes across less like he’s above it and more like a petty child continuing to take no responsibility for anything. Finish strong Bill, please.

Yes please! Or exit a year too soon, rather than a year too late. I think he sees the media stuff as a waste of time. He can bench Mac whenever he wants, and doesn't need the Colin Cowherds of the world to support it. His legacy is 6 rings as HC. Unless he goes 0-17 for three years or pulls a Woody Hayes on the sidelines, that will always be the signal.

 

[TFisNEXT]

I have been watching him because I’m a sucker for underdogs. I expected disaster in Tampa.

He is slinging it. Vikings and Chicago don’t play D but he was impressive against the Saints and their D is pretty good.

My hot take is that Baker is actually pretty good when his shoulder is healthy. Is he top 5? No, but he could be top 10. Through 4 weeks this year he's basically tied with Dak for 6th in EPA/play just barely above Justin Herbert and 7th in QBR just barely behind Justin Herbert.

I don't know if he's going to stay that high, but he's certainly solid starter material.

My one contribution to this Mac thread as someone who doesn't root for the Patriots as my first choice (I'm a Cowboys fan first having lived in Texas for part of my childhood in the 1980s, but I do root for the Patriots as an AFC team)....I honestly thought after 2021 he was going to be at worst, a middle-of-the-pack NFL starting QB. He showed a lot of promise that season and many of the numbers back it up. I'm not sure what changed but he not only failed to build on it, he regressed. I tend to agree maybe there's some coaching issues and maybe the Josh McDaniel factor as someone speculated above was bigger than initially thought. But it's hard to know for sure. Either way, it seems he's not going to improve in New England. Maybe a change of scenery does him good, but I'm drafting a QB next year if I'm BB.

 

[cornwalls@6]

I’m also at the point where I’ve seen enough of Mac. 2+ years starting has exposed a guy with pedestrian arm talent, below average physical strength and athleticism, and an inability to process quickly and avoid crushing mistakes in live game situations. If everything is perfect, he’s not under duress, and can get his feet set, he does make some good, accurate throws. But even the worst NFL quarterbacks can do that. It’s the ability to function, or least not make damaging mistakes, when all the pieces aren’t in place, which is often, that separates consistently effective starters. And as @Smiling Joe Hesketh pointed out, not one time in 2-1/4 seasons as a starter has he carried his team to a win. There aren’t many options other than to start him the rest of the way, but I’m absolutely at the cut bait, and try again in the draft point. And I suspect they will have the capital to do it. Without tanking.

 

[genoasalami]

Basically they aimed low when they drafted Mac and they still missed.

Maybe they don’t evaluate talent well? It’s the same organization that went Strange/Thornton 1/2.

 

[j44thor]

Maybe they don’t evaluate talent well? It’s the same organization that went Strange/Thornton 1/2.

The counter to this is that outside of Brock fking Purdy there hasn't been a QB they had access to via the draft that would have been better than Mac. That leaves the FA market and given they only have about 5M in cap space this season I don't know who they could have signed on the FA market that would have been appreciably better, perhaps trade for Josh Dobbs who is playing well in AZ? Beyond Dobbs I don't know who you want that was reasonably accessible and wouldn't crush their cap. I'm all for giving Will Grier a shot at this point though, he balled out in his last pre-season start with DAL so why not see if you can uncover the next Geno Smith.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

BB is not going to give Grier or Zappe a start. His experiences in CLE with Kosar and in NE with Bledsoe/Brady undoubtedly make him extremely leery of anything close to a real QB controversy. For better or worse BB believes a QB controversy is a negative to his team and he will not engage in one.

Barring an injury Mac will start the rest of the year.