The Patriotsāstart to the 2022 NFL season has been more complicated than predicted. Though many expected them tobuild on a great 2021, New England heads into the Week 4 matchup against Green Bayin a tough spot.
Not only they arebottom of the AFC East with a 1-2 record, but the Patriots may also have to face games without Mac Jones. The second-year quarterback is in doubt for Sundaygame after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Week 3 loss to the Ravens.
His performances werenāt great this year, but Jonesā presence is still important for Bill Belichick. However, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur respects Patriots backup QB Brian Hoyer just as much as Jones.
Matt LaFleur has equal respect for Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer
āBrian Hoyer is a guy Iāve got a lot of respect for,āLaFleur said, viaMike Cole of NESN. āMy brother was on that staff in Cleveland when he was a starter, and they had him again when he was in San Francisco as well. I remember watching a lot of the cut-ups from the ā14 season, and you could make the case and take all his great plays he made, and you would have thought he was one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
āHeās been doing it for a really long time, and heās going to know their system inside and out. That always presents some challenges when you have a veteran versus a more inexperienced player. Although I donāt wanna take anything away from Mac. Mac has been unbelievable, obviously, having a Pro Bowl season last year and doing some great things this year, as well. Whoeverās out there, you just gotta adjust and adapt.ā
Itās been two years since Hoyer started an NFL game. Even so, LaFleurās mindset looks the same regardless of whoās behind center for the Patriots on Sunday. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters for him is that the Packers get the job done.
