Julian Edelman, Vince Wilfork break Mc Jones lead | Jobs Vox

Coming off a disappointing sophomore NFL campaign, New England Patriots running back Mack Jones has been somewhat of a lightning rod for criticism this year. He yelled at his coaches. He was sliding towards the defenders, his feet up, presumably trying to hurt them. And what some believe is a poor attempt to tackle Chandler Jones in one of the most embarrassing plays in pro football history. At this rate, it’s no wonder his teammates want to replace Jones.

You can count former Patriot and three-time Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman among those who didn’t appreciate how Jones handled himself this season.

in the episode Inside the NFLEdelman and former NFL WR Brandon Marshall debated what Mack Jones should do on “Fail Lateral.” Where Marshall defended Jones because hitting isn’t part of his usual job as a quarterback, Edelman used it as an opportunity to blast Jones’ effort and what he perceived to be an overall lack of professionalism:

is turned on @insidetheNFLBrandon Marshall defended Mack because he never practices hitting. Edelman replied:

“You know what, he also doesn’t practice tricks after games, away from the coaches and all these little angry faces and stuff. It’s like he doesn’t practice and do it”

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 23, 2022

Phew. I think it’s safe to say that members of the Golden Era of the Patriots aren’t fans of the current young New England quarterback, right?

Here’s another former Patriot and two-time Super Bowl champion, Vince Wilfork, scathingly criticizing Jones’ antics:

“I’m tired of it. You’re the leader of this team … you can’t disappoint every week.”@ Wilfork75 tells him @TomGilesNBCS He doesn’t want to see Mack Jones’ frustration on the field anymore pic.twitter.com/ekPTCwulkT

— NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots coverage (@NBCSPatriots) December 21, 2022

Admittedly, it’s a lot to ask Jones to handle for someone who weighs about 50 pounds. That said, it was a game in fact while playing online. In this situation, normal rules go out the window. And when you’re 13-of-31 for 112 yards while seemingly throwing a tantrum every week, you don’t exactly get the benefit of the doubt. The microscope becomes even larger when such behavior is patterned.

The controversy surrounding Jones only grows wider by the week. As the overachieving, Super Bowl-winning Patriots continue to talk about it, the apparent turmoil seems only to grow.