Mac Jones praised NY Jets for how they handled Zach Wilson situation

NY Jets quarterback Zach Wilson and New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones find themselves in a similar situation entering the 2024 offseason. Both players were once hailed as franchise saviors of their respective AFC East franchises, but those days are long in the past.

Both the Jets and Patriots have effectively moved on from their 2021 first-round quarterbacks. Wilson might be traded in the offseason, while Jones will almost certainly be replaced in the coming months.

But while the two QBs are in a similar place now, their journeys haven't been the same. Just ask Jones.

Much has been made about Jones' reported alienation from his teammates in New England, and it appears that extends to his coaching staff as well. The former Alabama QB reportedly didn't find out he would be a healthy scratch in Week 18 until his team released their list of inactives.

Jones' communication with now-former head coach Bill Belichick was essentially nonexistent at that point. His frustration with Belichick and the Patriots led Jones to make an interesting remark during his team's 17-3 loss to the Jets in Week 18.

Mac Jones is jealous of Zach Wilson and the NY Jets

MassLive's Mark Daniels is reporting that Jones "told a member of the Jets’ staff that he appreciated how their organization handled Wilson’s situation" before the game. Jones appreciated that the Jets were at least upfront with their QB.

The Jets reportedly told Wilson that they planned to trade him after he was benched for Tim Boyle earlier in this season. While he did eventually return to the starting lineup, the two sides had already agreed to mutually part ways at the end of the year.

It's fair to criticize the Jets for re-inserting Wilson into the starting lineup after their initial conversation, but at least the team was open with their communication. By all accounts, Jets head coach Robert Saleh still had/has a good relationship with Wilson.

The same clearly can't be said about Jones and Belichick.

The Patriots are expected to search for Jones' replacement this offseason as new head coach Jerod Mayo embarks on a new era of Patriots football. That replacement might very well come with the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft.

As for Wilson, he will almost certainly be shipped to a new team in the coming weeks/months. A trade is inevitable at this point — Wilson has played his final game with the Jets.

It will be an inauspicious end for two of the top quarterback prospects in the 2021 draft class. Jones just wishes his Patriots tenure ended how Wilson's Jets career did.