Patriots OC Bill O'Brien backs Mac Jones amid calls for his benching

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones may be struggling, but his offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien, isn’t giving up on him.

Just two days removed from the 34-0 Week 5 bludgeoning at the hands of the New Orleans Saints, O’Brien was asked if there was a benefit in benching Jones to give him a mental break. O’Brien said there’s “no time for mental breaks,” before saying that all players need to stay “mentally tough” to endure the grind of a 17-game season.

“There’s no time for mental breaks,” O’Brien said, via Zack Cox of NESN. “Those are on your days off, I guess, you can take a little mental break. It’s the grind of the season. In order to be in this league as a coach, as a player, as anybody in this league, you have to be mentally tough. There’s a grind that goes to the league. It’s a 17-week grind, and we all have to be mentally tough.

“The sun came up today. We’re going to practice today… We’re going to get after it and be fundamentally sound today and see what happens tomorrow. One day at a time.”

Mac Jones struggling to take next level as NFL QB

Jones, the 2021 first-round pick out of Alabama, had one of his most underwhelming games as a professional in the loss to New Orleans. The 25-year-old completed 12-of-22 passes for 110 yards and two interceptions. On the season, Jones has thrown for 1,008 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions on 62.5% passing.

In the last two games, the Patriots have been outscored 72-3. They now sit in last place in the AFC East at 1-4. Being the quarterback of the most successful franchise of the 21st century means Jones will shoulder the bulk of the blame. O’Brien knows, however, it’s gonna take a group effort to drag the Patriots out of their funk.

“It’s not about one guy,” O’Brien said. “But as the quarterback you’re going to shoulder a lot of that, and he understands that. He’s working hard. He’s in here early, in here [Monday] trying to think about things to do better.

“We had a good fundamental meeting right here about half an hour ago. We’re ready to go for practice [Tuesday], take things one day at a time, and try to dig ourselves out of it.”