This is going to be a really difficult season for Mac Jones. With the news of RB James White’s retirement, the Patriots offensive arsenal has just gotten that much lighter.
If Mac Jones thought last season was difficult, he’ll have another thing coming his way when he sees that his offensive arsenal has just lost another piece. James White’s early retirement, he is only 30 years old after all, is yet another major blow to the New England offense.
It’s true that White lost a step last season (before his injury), but his presence alone in the backfield was assuring for whichever quarterback he played with. Whether it was Tom Brady, Cam Newton, or Mac Jones, they could rely on James White to catch a crucial 5-year pass out from the backfield on 3rd-down.
Those were the kind of plays that James White made a living on.
And it was those type of plays from White that won Super Bowl 51 for New England. Who can forget his legendary 14 reception, 114-yard Super Bowl record-breaking game against the Falcons. Or his 3-yard rush to win said Super Bowl in overtime to help the Patriots pull off the most incredible comeback in sports history!
James White really was a Patriots legend.
However, coming back to modern times, White’s retirement takes away another important offensive piece for Mac Jones. The Patriots have already traded WR N’Keal Harry to the Bears and All-Pro guard Shaq Mason to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. Losing the reliable James White’s injury hurts this offense a lot.
As of now, the only reliable players (in my opinion) on this New England offense are WR Jakobi Meyers, TE Hunter Henry, and RB Damian Harris.
WR Devante Parker is injury-prone and a newcomer to New England, RB Ty Montgomery has been bounced around the league more often than one of Anna Delvey’s bank checks, WR Nelson Agholor infamously inconsistent hands only give him a 50-50 chance to catch a ball throw his way (even when he’s wide open), and TE Jonnu Smith’s play was extremely disappointing last season.
Plus, with former Pats OC Josh McDaniels jumping ship to join the Las Vegas Raiders as the team’s new head coach, Mac Jones lost not only McDaniels brilliant creative mind, but also his experience.
McDaniels has led the Patriots offense to SIX Super Bowl appearances, four Super Bowl wins, ten AFC championship games, and countless AFC Division title wins.
His loss may be the most impactful on Mac Jones next season as the Pats are yet to name a new coordinator with preseason starting tonight.
With the Patriots not signing any of the major free agent wide receiver targets or drafting one of the top wideouts this offseason, the team is going into yet another season with major holes at the talent positions. Hopefully Mac Jones can overcome the glaring issues before him and continue his development as one of the top QBs in the NFL next season.
Anyway, thanks for the memories, James White. You really were one of the best pass catching RBs the Pats have ever had. Enjoy retirement!
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