As the New England Patriots season continues to decline, it has become even more clear that Mac Jones' time with the team could be coming to an end. 

With the ongoing quarterback controversy that has haunted New England this season, one Patriots legend voiced his opinion on what is going on. 

"He's not respected in New England. Coach Belichick has played all these games with him," Rob Gronkowski said during his appearance on FanDuelTV's Up & Adams Show. "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. He's not respected there."

And Gronkowski's idea for what the third-year quarterback should do is a wild thought, but one that actually could make a lot of sense. 

"I think Mac Jones should ultimately, even right now should go ask for his release. If you're talking to me about what he should do, ask for his release," Gronkowski said. "And then if it's granted, he should go sign with the Cleveland Browns and start a new career. They need a new quarterback." 

"I think he would fit," the former Patriots tight end added. "There's no doubt about it. He's got all the weapons around him. And then that would determine if Mac Jones is the real deal or not. I think he's a decent quarterback. I think he should be in the NFL for a little bit," Gronkowski said. "I think he's going to have a career." 

Prior to Gronkowski's weekly appearance, it was announced that Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson is out for the season. So while it is rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson who is getting the start, Browns GM Andrew Berry said that the team will make a move for a quarterback. 

So Gronkowski's idea could work, but it centers around the Patriots releasing him first. 

Jones joined the Patriots in 2021, being drafted in the first round. He had a strong rookie season, but took a decline in his second year with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge serving as offensive coordinators. Prior to the start of this season, they brought in Bill O'Brien, but things continued to get worse. 

And right before he joined the team initially, the team lost a quarterback who helped lead the team to six Super Bowl championships. Yet, everyone expected the team to still succeed the same way. 

"It's tough. He's following up Brady, well Cam Newton followed up Brady, but he's following up the regime still of the Tom Brady era," Gronkowski said. "All that pressure with the fans, with Coach Belichick, with the team. I don't think he really has that many weapons around him either. They're dropping passes at the end of a game to go in and tie the game or go in and possibly take the lead and they are dropping easy balls on him. So his confidence goes down. They're never on the same page."

Based on how this year has gone, one thing is clear: the Patriots are not the right place for Mac Jones. 

"I just don't see it fitting anymore," Gronkowski said. "Just doesn't look good anymore. I don't see it healing at all either."

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