Albert Breer: Mac Jones Was NEVER a 1st-Round Talent - Zolak & Bertrand

[@mac7256]

The more I hear people talk about quarterback prospects, I start to understand that nobody really knows what they’re talking about. Just pick the best guy available and roll the dice.

[@GeorgeLe]

Bertrand is really trying hard to push a narrative there. Good on Breer for not backing down lol

[@Tom-vt1eu]

Belifraud exposed

[@jaysoncarter3171]

Facts

[@randomflagg7331]

it's because Mac is Irish. But watch how quick all the fans turn on the next QB if he's not Irish. Hey I'm consistent. I just want my team to be deadly I don't care what race each position contains. But I surely ain't making excuses for someone and they are stinking up the joint. But the fact they turned on Bill in favor of Mac.... Now, that blew my mind.

[@marknoiseux3551]

Mac started to suck at the end of his rookie year. Patriots were 9-5 that year and 1-3 down the stretch. McDaniels would call the play from the sidelines, and Mac would sometimes run a different play. Like Mac knew it all already and didn't need McD. Mac's biggest problem at the Patriots was himself.

[@aradcliffe585]

Christ finally somebody sees what I saw. Terrible decision making with Pick after pick to lose games...

[@randomflagg7331]

And his wig got blown out in the worst playoff loss in this teams history. that was it for macorcyle LMAO and he was so young....

[@kyruscollins532]

There it is people absolute truth

[@randomflagg7331]

@@kyruscollins532 poor lad never had a chance. 😁

[@marknoiseux3551]

@@randomflagg7331 With only 17 starts in college, he just wasn't ready.

[@Happycoreftw]

The problem with Mac is he doesn't have the it factor. So many close games he just couldn't come through.

[@randomflagg7331]

best answer!

[@googlechicken]

In fairness he tried in one only to have Parker drop the best ball he has ever thrown my dude Mac is like a real life Charlie Brown. He got a rock and that rocks name was Bill

[@Happycoreftw]

@googlechicken he didn't come through against Tom when he had the chance didn't come through against the cowboys that year either when he was put in a situation to win. I would have tried a little harder to learn from the dude with 6 super bowls but idk I guess one good season at Alabama means your a coach away from being Tom Brady

[@Rucarlos]

Breer was on point! Mac was just another chapter in the long list of egregiously overdrafted 1st rounders we've taken for the past decade or so.

[@youtubeconnollyfamily]

In today’s NFL, you need a mobile QB. It is so easy for teams to prepare for a non-mobile QB these days. Brady Manning era is over.

[@short_kingzz]

Brady won a Superbowl like two years ago lmaoo in his 40s and mahomes stands in the pocket 85 percent of the time

[@PATRIOTTTT]

CJ Stroud isnt that Mobile to be honest...He's as mobile as a young peyton manning who ran a 4.8 40 yard dash

[@polandfresh101]

If it was just about being mobile, Lamar would have 3 rings by now. Yes it helps to be able to make playful off script…but you also need a good pocket presence. Brady was never super mobile, but his ability to step up and maneuver in the pocket was an incredibly underrated part of his game.

[@chrish2112]

You absolutely do not. You know nothing about football.

[@WLJ1287]

No what you need is a qb who can throw outside the numbers without driving everything they have to do it; a qb who can pass a ball further than 20 yards without it arcing

[@robf4639]

These are all the same clowns that said it was a gift that he dropped down.

[@afmartin2734]

Yep. These revisionist historians are just creepy.

[@chrisfrye5730]

Breer had Mac going to Niners with the third pick. That was his final mock that year. Did he mention that here? I drifted off a bit. I’m going to guess no.

[@markmccreadie6212]

Mac's shortcomings were when he throws longer than 5 yards he makes horrible decisions. Thank god he is gone. He was a terrible teammates and this isn't Alabama son, guys aren't wide open by 10 yards every throw. Mac was poor at best in the 2nd half of the first season. He was an embarassment in the bills playoff game and people thought that was just being a rookie, it wasn't. The league figured him about halfway during the first year

[@Tsepete]

Thank you. It's surprising how they try to blame anyone else but the guy who made the bad decisions on the field.

[@skyline128]

I saw signs the second half of season 1... But that cowboys game where he threw the same pass twice in a row and got pick sixed I was like okay.... I dont think I need to see anymore, it was the nail in the coffin for me@@Tsepete

[@williamreid6288]

Yep. The version of him that you saw the 2nd half of his rookie year is who he is as an NFL QB. Career backup/third string.

[@JasonBrown-z5y]

Exactly

[@Noname33336]

But some Mac pologist were arguing with me that he was a 1st round talent after I said we reached on him? Interesting.

[@williamreid6288]

Bill always reached for offensive players. Rob Gronkowski is the only probowl offensive player drafted by Bill. Over a decade ago ...

[@conor2439]

Coordinators change teams all the time. In college and NFL. That excuse for Mac makes no sense and is out of the control of the organization anyways. Mac does not have the physical tools, size, and temperament to be an NFL QB. The only thing he potentially had was game management and the ability to grow into being a QB that's a good decision maker, which is the area he regressed the most in '23. His ceiling was always as a backup.

[@brianlonergan3588]

Not to mention the offense was pretty much the same in many ways for those 3 years like Edelman said

[@hondo8564]

Breer is great and Bertrand is a JACKASS.

[@GJWhite66]

Bertrand still ignoring Mac not being good. Nothing the Patriots did "ruined" Mac. We aren't talking about 15 year old girls. We're talking about a professional athlete that has been groomed to handle adversity since he was in Pop Warner. The perks are better, but so are the expectations. If you have to coddle a professional quarterback, then you don't have a professional quarterback. You have a child. And on top of a weak constitution, he didn't have any physical tools to fall back on when things became difficult. So he reverted to a whiny, petulant child. While the less skilled backup outplayed him in these same, "no quarterback could succeed in" situations. The less skilled backup put up more points with less talent around him than the spoiled tennis brat. Because the less skilled player was stronger mentally. There's no way any starting quarterback in the NFL should feel threatened by Bailey Zappe. The only team Zappe could have started for was this one, because Mac is that damn bad. Zappe is a bargain basement Case Keenum. He will be a backup for the rest of his career. Yet somehow Mac couldn't handle the "pressure" Zappe applied as his backup? And that's the type of player people want leading their team? Maybe Mac reminds some of you of your younger selves, or maybe he looks like your son. That has to be it. Because I have never seen a below average athlete in this town get more excuses made for than him. I am so glad he is gone, if nothing else, then you fans can remember what actual talented players look like.

[@randomflagg7331]

Wow! Excellent adult answer. I wish I could give you 100 thumbs up. you are so right, much of it is his mentality. He doesn't have the "stuff". part of it is the only child thing. mix that with kraft's meddling making the kid think he's more important than Belichick and the results isn't anything Bill did wrong. And I swear there is a contingent out here being paid to say negative stuff about Belichick. it goes beyond normal fans it's persistent even when it makes no sense. they continue to blame Bill even when we all know it was Bill obien's job to fix the offense.

[@skyline128]

Dont forget the dirty plays over 3 years.@@randomflagg7331

[@michaelmarceau4863]

Odd, a 1st round QB didn't get better under two defensive coaches.

[@Tsepete]

That round guy cannot hide his bias against Belichek.

[@PATRIOTTTT]

Thank You Mac Jones was a 7th round talent who played with 1st round talent in college.. Dam near all pro talents with Waddle and Smith and Neejee...Even their OL at alabama were top 4th to 2nd round talents....

[@chrisfrye5730]

In Breer’s final mock draft that year, he had Mac going to the niners 3rd overall. Did he mention that here? I snoozed a bit.

[@Daniel_Capital]

A mock is what you think that team is doing. It was well known niners wanted him

[@chrisfrye5730]

@@Daniel_Capital good point, but he also made it out that Mac would be a great fit. But then also said the Niners might regret it after a few years. I don’t know Breer that well, but it seems like he was trying to set it up so he would be right either way. Coming out at this time and saying he was never first round material is something anyone can do in hindsight. Maybe he said it somewhere else, but I expect he is more one of those media types that toots their own horn.

[@JoeMahan]

Good show. Hopefully the Patriots can begin a new era with high energy and youth.

[@chanorando]

I'm way late to this party but in reality, NO ONE knows WHO was a first round talent until they step onto an NFL field and prove/disprove it. The Draft is a "wish list" talent pool of "hope will be's" No one wants to talk about real stats on historical draft success. Basically it's overall FAIL. Why was the greatest QB EVER drafted at 199? Why is Mr Irrelevant suddenly NFC Champion? Answers: 1. Humans aren't mass produced machines. They can' be accurately measured or predicted EVER! 2. NCAA isn't NFL, nuff said. Many QBs don't fail on talent alone. Ask David Carr. Sometimes the QB is ruined. That nails it describing Mac Jones experience as a Patriot. As a native Pats fan, I was disgusted by the mismanagement. At the very least, his opportunity to succeed was ruined by mishandling. At worst he was very possibly a victim of intentional sabotage by a vindictive HC. IMO, Belichick is a hypocrite. Belichick expects EVERYONE ELSE to be accountable and team driven so, WHY ISN'T HE??!! I put the blame squarely on COACHING for the decline of Mac. Let's not forget Mac's success. Season 1: Made Playoffs @ 10-7 and pro-bowl alternate: That doesn't happen by accident in the NFL! Mac wasn’t flawless but deficiencies were completely coachable. Season 2: He loses a great OC, replaced by a couple meathead yes men with NO Offensive credibility!... Couple that with head scratching, uncomplimentary, offensive schemes/gameplans. Add the HC undermining Mac's confidence by benching him after ONE interception in a game! W*F!! How many other HCs would bench the starter after ONE interception early in a game??!! Answer: NONE!! Season 3: Under "sink or swim" duress with another questionable meathead OC, more inexplicable schemes/gameplans, and no support from an uncommunicative dis-engaged HC!! Recipe for failure ONLY! Was Mac Jones at all responsible for his decline? The answer is: MINIMALLY! Yes, he is high strung and impatient. Yes, he lost the team by calling out teammates for perceived failures. Yes, he was guilty of being a young immature player who made some poor decisions. None of those things were good, but he was understandably frustrated in dealing with an UNTENABLE situation!! I wish the best of success to Mac and my personal apology. I am embarrassed by what my team did to him. He should have had a 4th Pats year with a legit chance to thrive… It's abundantly clear that Belichick is a brilliant Narcissist. He's the best defensive mind the game has ever seen, but he has NO respect for offense and offensive players, and NO respect for the Owner that employs him. He has repeatedly undermined what was best for the team while claiming otherwise. Sitting Malcolm Butler in SB 52 threw ALL Players under the Bus! How was that best for the TEAM?! Players are human and all different. It's a HC duty to manage personalities and CREATE an atmosphere of SUCCESS for overall TEAM benefit! Ruining the starting QB consciously or unconsciously because he isn't "your guy" is Textbook NARCISSISM and absolutely NOT what is “BEST” for the TEAM! Belichick does what is best for his EGO! He may have cut his football teeth under Navy Athletics, and he may THINK he runs a team modeled on the military, but he does NOT! He FORGOT that EVERY serviceman swears an oath and is accountable to a higher authority! The Admiral or General, may not agree with or even respect The President, but it's their duty to their country to follow orders and to NEVER undermine or subvert “The Boss” or the MEN under their command. Belichick should never again be trusted with a HC position. He's borderline megalomaniacal, and a cancer in any position of authority. I would hire him as a DC with very minimal authority only. IMO, players were willing to endure the "Belichick Way" because they believed TB12 ensured a legitimate SB shot year after year. Yes, the defenses were equally important to the repeated success, but The GOAT was the GLUE that held it all together. When the glue dissolved, it unsurprisingly fell apart.

[@Coltyyyyyyyy]

Justin Fields was traded for the same as Mac....plus Russell Wilson was dumped for Free. The QB market is crappy this year.

[@rgonz81]

Finally, someone remembered what happened in Mac's draft and told the truth

[@googlechicken]

Hot Take there congratulations you have a working pair of eyeballs

[@ChuchuJS]

Everyone knew Mac wasn’t so talented we were all hoping for a Tom Brady to happen , it didn’t

[@michaellalli7693]

Chris Gasper was never high on Mac Jones when they drafted him. That class under performed. SF gave up a ton to move up to get Trey Lance, Zach Wilson was supposed to be this super dual threat. Trevor Lawrence has all the tools and a high ceiling still needs time. Jones was never going t be a top 10 QB, but you have to admit, the organization didn’t help him or properly develop him.

[@Rickyreds]

& the same ppl that took him in the 1st round are still here

[@blade_monstababy9945]

Mac was a lot like Tom Brady in his first year physically but what Tom had was a fierce compete attitude and had some key playmakers around him. He made the most of his few key plays to excel in the BB system. Mac definitely isn’t a 1st round kid. They got desperate to repeat a TB12. Good ride de to him and I hope he finds his home now in jax.

[@brianlonergan3588]

Tom brady is much bigger than Mac what're you talking about?

[@johnh6515]

Was not hard for other teams to see what Mac , could not do well ! Send the house, when he needed 3-5 yards, on 2nd , and it was very quickly 3rd and 17 .

[@peterjacoby8019]

"mac jones wasn't a 1st round talent" -breer "was zach wilson and trey lance?" "physically yes" - breer hahahaha this guy is always so wack cause he never gives his own thoughts, just repeats what others tell him. sounds like hes speaking for Bill today. tom brady wasn't a physical talent either, almost like qb is about throwing not running

[@SW-lx3lu]

He’s such an idiot that they give way too much credit in Boston. He knows nothing. This is all his opinion and no named sources.

[@jayy88]

The only team that wanted him was his hometown team that can use him to sell tickets. Even scrubs like Lance and Darnold got more than a 6th dude sucks

[@adriankendrick4281]

😂 Mac's presence ain't selling no damn tickets

[@jayy88]

@@adriankendrick4281 he’s from Jacksonville he’ll sell tickets even though he sucks which is why they are the only team that wanted him. Have you heard of Tim Tebow

[@ashleylouchin2089]

95% of the time Breer know his stuff and never get emotional like some of these dummies in the media….mid season in Mac rookie year I knew he was not a NFL starter. The defense, and running kept him a strictly game manager

[@georgen5882]

Well, with that kind of clairvoyance how has an NFL team not hired you as a scout yet? Peyton Manning threw like 28 interceptions his rookie year. You could have said the same thing about him. It doesn’t mean Mac is a hall of famer, it means a rookie year and play calling are not the be all end all of a QB. Whether you like Mac or not, there aren’t many QBs that would have survived the last two years. The team had a lot of problems, and Mac was only one of them. The fact is he has enough talent to be a middle of the road starter in the NFL. Whether or not he makes it is up for heavy debate. He’s just like a lot of middling QBs and requires weapons and good coordinators to get the job done. There isn’t going to be another Brady winning super bowls with Deion branch as his best wide receiver.

[@mtadams2009]

Maybe Bill should have not run Tom out of town without any plan. This is all on Bill. He should have ridden the pine for a couple of years. Bill is no offense coach m.

[@petermarshall6577]

He may have had a bag of crap dropped on his door stoop but instead of getting a shove he stepped in it.

[@winsonboss1240]

Mac was a first round talent in year one BUT obviously decline in 2nd and dropped to the bottom in last year. Overall Mac and the Organization did not make the adjustments, physically and mentally, when faced with uphill situations/conflicts. Such a waste, a first round pick who is not able to make it thru his first contract. It is not about the money. We as Patriots fans want Mac to succeed. This was,specifically Bb’s failure. He was paid $100 million the last four years to Coach the team and more importantly, the QBs. That why he was FIRED.

[@jolyonyates3898]

Drake Maye will be a significant upgrade at QB!!!

[@Playlist-yz8de]

Wasn’t Breer screaming for the Pats to trade up to 3 to make sure the Pats got Mac? There’s a lot of revisionist history going on.

[@patrickfoley6215]

Good segment

[@randomflagg7331]

I agree. his childish behavior was just too much for me. I know the region loved his Irish lineage but that kid burned the offense to the ground and people were making excuses for him and savaging Bill. Bill didn't cause this problem. Kraft did when he forced bill to trade jimmy and he let Brady get away without scoring two 1sts. And argue all ya want the offense under Patricia was a work in progress yet it was better than the one Mac had to have. zappe had no problem running the offense. but when mac ran it it was a mess. and that's because he was dragging his feet. intentionally stalling the offense. and this year, you can't tell me he wasn't throwing those interceptions on purpose to sack Bill. and that's because Kraft was meddling, Mac had kraft on speed dial. and it can't be that way. he's a kid he shouldn't be going around Bill. look, Kraft doesn't like Bill it's obvious and he's using shadow games to conceal the fact he caused this. his sentimental bullsh*t is why the offense wasn't upgraded. then he wouldn't allow Bill to trade Mac? what the hell! i think kraft was tired of bill always being right. and he wanted to get his hands on the controls.

[@Slb5988]

Crazy thing to say but Should have kept Newton at QB1 for 2-3 years before moving on.

[@robertbaldini6910]

Dam Zoe and Beatle look like twin brothers.

[@xdatcalikidx]

Lmao... If Mac isn't a 1st Rd Talent and all these negatives you keep bringing up, then what the hell is Zach Wilson. People called and made offers for Mac, still haven't heard of anyone wanting Wilson but yet he is more talented and worthy of a 1st Rd Pick. Please. Mac strength was never physical, it was intellectual. We never set him up to succeed. 2022 was the equivalent of building a top of the line Digital Storm PC and loading it up with Windows 95. Smfh.

[@Dusty_617]

I agree with Breer

[@Ryan-by8ui]

Today’s league, especially for the quarterback position, is more predicated on athleticism than cerebral decision making. Brady wouldn’t have the same career if he were coming out of college now and it’s why Lamar Jackson has 2 MVPs despite limitations consistently going to the right place with the ball. Mac Jones had the worst arm of any regular starter. He likely had the worst ability. There’s no combination of skill players or coaches than can make up for that in todays league. He had half a good rookie season and he plummeted back down to earth after teams figured out he can’t beat you deep or extend plays. It is what it is. The pick made plenty of sense at the time and the team needed a qb, you take that shot every time. But for all this talk about how Jones was “ruined”, the terrible situation he was in highlighted his egregious shortcomings physically - it did not create them. And that’s a big distinction.

[@ShimrobReduxShimrobRedux]

Mac Jones was a first round talent. Until he went to NE. Then he wasn’t.

[@Daniel_Capital]

Ok, looking forward to seeing that unleashed in Jacksonville

[@williamreid6288]

Sure ok. That's why they only got a sixth round pick for him and why he is the backup for Jacksonville now right?

[@joeburns159]

I wouldn’t say that he’s tearing it up down there more zip on his throws consistent so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him find another team he’s good and a first round pick nothing on New England was his fault nothing the reason you’re not getting anything because they were moving on

[@afmartin2734]

Was Joe Burrow not a 1st rd talent winning a college title as a senior with loaded wepaonry? Keep moving those goalposts, Breer. The entire 2021 QB class failed, not just Mac Jones. Enough with the revisionist history. Breer literally just said Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, etc, are 1st rd talents. What a complete disingenuous loser.

[@Daniel_Capital]

Your comprehension skills… he literally says in the video burrow was an incredible athlete and physically in a different class than jones. Can’t believe you didn’t hear that, sheesh

[@fabian4ever69]

The team didn't perform well in order to get rid of him on purpose

[@cockytalk9193]

Yes he is

[@dougiekiing4650]

Let’s pick jayden and get tee Higgins

[@Tom-vt1eu]

No to Jayden. Frame and arm strength are not good

[@Daniel_Capital]

Jayden won’t be there to pick

[@kop3055]

I always go back to the decision not to go for it on 4th down vs Brady and the Bucs. Bill already knew then.

[@avenger55]

Drake Maye = Mac Jones 2.0

[@DMKFACTOR]

Actually that would be JJ McCarthy! Drake Maye is the real deal! Pats might not like him, but the kid is really really good! He can make every throw, where JJ McCarthy can’t throw to his left!

[@HoodedAlchemy]

He's really not Mac Jones. He was never thought as highly as Maye and played with a lot less talent than Jones college

[@lordoffaiyum9727]

Agree

[@xxiiiaresxxiii3505]

You saying this just because they wear the same jersey number horid take to say Drake Maye isn't a 1st rounder

[@8cylinderstolife737]

Drake Maye is SOOOOO much more talented than Mac this take is comical. Who knows if it translates but he has a cannon of an arm AND serious running talent. This is a dumb take

[@millabasset1710]

Mac Jones and Cam Newton years 🤮

[@DMKFACTOR]

A lot better than the Hugh Millen and Scott Zolak years!

[@Kylekyling]

Blame Bill

[@elizabethgodfrey1033]

@millabasset1710 Don’t u fix ur mouth to Compare Cam Newton to Mac Jones. Compare Mac to Brian Hoyer who hasn’t won sh*t in 8 yrs. Cam Newton is the best QB after Brady. He won 7-8, 66% completion, 3245 total yds, 21 total tds! Cam didn’t kick the opponent in his nuts to win games. Cam had 1 yr. the team got better with the new weapons but Kraft Took them back & gave them to Mac. I hate to say this: but how dirty Kraft tricked Cam, I’m glad Mac sh*tted & went to 2-9 on Kraft. Mac Jones QBR is 39.7, the worst in 2023. Kraft is not right. He tried to ruin Belichick, too!

[@patrickfoley6215]

Sign Higgins and draft Harrison Jr

[@BushNinja141]

This dude is a clown 🤡. Mac was definitely a first round talent.

[@kyuham8998]

breer fmd just say you hate the guy

[@youngpower24]

Bertrand saying 3yrs/19.5M for Bourne is an “overpay” shows how out of touch he and many others are regarding the current WR market. These guys get big money even 2nd and 3rd wideouts.

[@Daniel_Capital]

Beetle’s takes are just awful. Some people are meant to be producers

[@WreckTheWicked17]

Im calling this rn mac jones gonna be the starter now

[@jblitz55]

Im a bit skeptical on that take...I mean you have coaches off record saying he could have won super bowls with this kid. Mac WAS a first round talent... What they did to him in that second year destroyed him...im not one to pile on Bill because he's the man, but he needs to wear that hat for sure. Patricia as your OC !?!? Any qb outside of like Brady & Mahomes would regress. 🤣🤣

[@ethanjoseph2474]

Why does everyone say we destroyed him? He destroyed himself . He’s a bum and sucks . Weak arm. They said he likes hard coaching. But then they did he acted like a brat and pouted. He destroyed himself , by playing scared , not throwing it like he means it . I just don’t like him. He’s pudgy and looks so unathletic , show reader . No pain tolerance . Dude has a high ankle sprain and I thought he broke his leg. He’s just not good and never was , Alabama made him look good with their talent.

[@ryancampbell4801]

OK so why did he regress further with an actual oc

[@kop3055]

There was nothing to "destroy". Belichicks biggest mistake was taking him in the first place.

[@adriankendrick4281]

Acutal OC? Bill O'Brien sucked just as much as those other two pinheads.

[@keithjupiter]

He was no first round talent noodle arm not athletic had a team full of first rounders you delusional

[@hbgrimmer850]

Breer is a hack.

[@SW-lx3lu]

Worst scum in his field

[@SW-lx3lu]

Breer did his part in ruining him, dont get it twisted. He’s still working on it here. I think this is pathetic revisionist history. Nauseating.

[@DWilliams-ce8nb]

Gotta love these sportswriter hacks who think they are competent to judge NFL talent. LOLOLOL Doug Peterson, arguably the sharpest QB mind in the NFL, just hired Mac Jones.

[@andremoreiracosta6319]

Breer is just a hater

[@josephk7530]

Get ready to for Drake Maye Bust 2.0