Report reveals how Patriots players feel about Mac Jones

Giardi reported earlier this week that "there is real interest" among "important folks" within the Patriots in spending a first-round draft pick on Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis. 

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer previously linked the Patriots with Levis and suggested that head coach Bill Belichick and new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien remain unconvinced Jones is the team's long-term answer at the sport's most important position. 

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has ranked Levis his top quarterback in this year's draft class over Bryce Young of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

It was back in January when Patriots insider Greg A. Bedard of Boston Sports Journal reported that Jones had "universal support in the locker room." However, it's since been said that Belichick "shopped" Jones to other clubs after the 2021 first-round draft pick allegedly upset his coach by contacting outsiders for ideas to repair the team's offense last season. 

Meanwhile, retired longtime Patriots safety Devin McCourty and sports talk host Dan Patrick have both indicated New England players were "split" between wanting a healthy Jones and 2022 rookie Bailey Zappe in the starting lineup last fall. Giardi reported in October that teammates thought at the time there was "another level" the offense could reach and that Jones was the right quarterback to "get them there." 

The Patriots ultimately finished the campaign at 8-9 and out of the playoffs. 

Interestingly, Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones declined this week to convincingly back Mac Jones as the team's QB1 over Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson as Jackson remains on the non-exclusive franchise tag. Outside of rumors, there's been no sign that New England will pursue Jackson during or after the NFL Draft that gets underway Thursday night.