The Facts: HC Bill Belichick fielded a series of questions in a Monday morning video conference, many of them specific to the team's offense, which had a staggering regression in 2022. Asked whether he envisions Mac Jones as the team's starting quarterback in 2023, or whether he needs to reevaluate the position in the offseason, Belichick said: "I think Mac has the ability to play quarterback in this league. We have to all work together to try to find the best way -- as a football team, which obviously quarterback is an important position -- to be more productive than we were this year."

Diehards Line: Jones was 288-of-442 for 2,997 yards (65.2%) this season, with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was sacked 34 times for 231 yards. As a rookie in 2021, when he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate, Jones was 352-of-521 for 3,801 yards (67.6%), with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He had been sacked 28 times for 241 yards. Jones' dip was reflective of how the Patriots cratered in every offensive statistical category that Belichick has long said are most important to him -- specifically the red zone (dropping from 11th to 32nd), third down (10th to 27th) and touchdowns scored (48 last season to 31 this season).