Rob Gronkowski's (Very Unlikely) Mac Jones Scenario Could Be Telling

Rob Gronkowski doesn't think Mac Jones is a bad quarterback, but he does believe the 25-year-old is in a bad situation.

On Wednesday, in an appearance on Kay Adams' Up & Adams show, the long-time tight end for the New England Patriots had a bold suggestion for embattled Patriots quarterback Mac Jones: Get out of there as soon as possible.

"He's not respected in New England," Gronkowski said. "Coach Belichick has played all these games with him. Bailey Zappe isn't even close to being on Mac Jones' level. You should never, ever sit Mac Jones. You tried it once, you tried it twice, it's not working, now he's doing it again, he won't name a starting quarterback there. I think Mac Jones should ultimately, even right now, just ask for his release."

Newsweek reached out by email to the Patriots' organization to ask about Gronkowski's comments.

Gronkowski might not have a future as an NFL GM, given how unlikely it seems that Jones would simply be released three seasons after he was selected with the 15th pick in the NFL Draft.

"If it's granted, he should go sign with the Cleveland Browns and start a new career," Gronkowski said, just hours after Browns' quarterback Deshaun Watson was ruled out for the season. "They need a quarterback. Imagine that, Kay, how incredible would that be? How wild that would be?"

"Wild" is a pretty good descriptor.

Still, setting his lack of front-office savvy aside, Gronkowski's opinion on Jones is hard to discount, given his familiarity with the Patriots' organization.

After all, aside from Tom Brady, very few players have been as integral to the Patriots' organization as Gronkowski. His personality didn't always seem like a perfect fit in Bill Belichick's strict system and locker room, but he was so overwhelmingly talented (and such a great fit with quarterback Tom Brady) that Belichick was able to look past indiscretions such as him falling asleep on the floor during a pre-draft meeting with the team ("Didn't make a very good impression," Belichick conceded).

Belichick praised Gronkowski's work ethic and how he interacted with teammates in the locker room. He has done the same at times for Jones, telling Boston news outlet WEEI that Jones is in "excellent physical condition" and works hard in September.

But unlike Gronkowski, Jones hasn't been an undeniable talent thus far in his NFL career, and The Boston Herald reported earlier this week that Jones has lost the locker room.

A player like Gronkowski, who spent nine seasons with Belichick before retiring (and eventually returning with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), would know the signs of the end better than anyone. If the Patriots don't respect Mac Jones, as Gronkowski has suggested, maybe it is time to move on.

Gronkowski Believes Bill Belichick Will Stay

Much of the chatter around the Patriots over the last few weeks has been whether Belichick will remain in his role after this season (or even if he could be let go before the season ends).

Gronkowski, it seems, doesn't buy it.

"He's kind of grandfather-clause'd in," Gronkowski said. "I would kind of compare it to Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs. I mean, the guy is an absolute legend."

Gronkowski added that Belichick and Popovich both share similar coaching styles, and like Belichick, Popovich lost a legendary superstar in Tim Duncan before getting the No. 1 pick and rookie big man Victor Wembanyama.

"He's electrified, with Wembanyama exploding now again," Gronkowski said. "Coach Popovich is back, he had two down years, maybe the two worst years in the NBA, the worst teams in the NBA those two years, but now he's back. This could play out the same way."