ESPN analyst Bart Scott would like someone to tell him why the New York Jets roster “isn’t twice as good” as the New England Patriots’ roster
Scott, a former Jets linebacker, blasted Bill Belichick and the team’s offseason moves during an episode of “First Take” this week. Scott spoke with co-host and former Jets receiver Keyshawn Johnson and the state of the AFC East.
Scott, who suggested that Zach Wilson could be better than the Patriots’ Mac Jones, argued that the Jets are better equipped at almost every position on their roster.
“I implore you to tell me where the lie is when you go through this roster and tell me the Jets roster isn’t twice as good, and possibly even at the quarterback position. We’ll be able to evaluate that more,” Scott said. “Offensive line, defensive line, cornerback, linebacker, safety. Tell me where the Patriots have the advantage.”
Scott was critical of Belichick’s moves as a general manager since Tom Brady’s departure from New England, arguing that the team hasn’t accomplished anything of note since losing their Hall of Fame quarterback.
“At what point are we going to realize it was more about 12 than it was about Bill Belichick? ... The entire division has passed the Patriots. What has he done since Tom Brady has left that was substantial,” Scott said.
Scott joined the chorus of critics across the NFL who questioned the Patriots’ decision-making during the 2022 NFL Draft when Belichick opted to take Chattanooga guard Cole Strange in the first round. But not just that, Scott argued that the Patriots’ entire offseason has been a letdown, with the defensive losing key pieces after their disastrous playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
“He got a C, right? Tell me what draft Bill Belichick has ever hit,” Scott said. “He’s always getting a C. But (Brady) was always there to cover it up. So what are his great moves this offseason? He traded his best corner and let him walk out the door. Right? Because he feels he’s the almighty. We witnessed a team that got old, slow and exposed in the playoffs. No Kyle Van Noy. No Jamie Collins. No D’onta Hightower. It’s one of those things.
“Understand this. The Jets can have good things. It’s OK to be happy. It’s OK to be optimistic, because at some point, the Big Bad Wolf ain’t the Big Bad Wolf no more,” Scott continued. “So yeah, they’re the Big Bad Wolf. They look the same. But when they open their mouth, they’ve got no teeth. They’re all bark, no bite.
“We thought that Mac & Cheese was the second of Tom Brady? Please,” Scott continued. “You talk about what they don’t have. Now they don’t have any of those core pieces anymore. What was his big move? Cole Strange? Listen, I was covering the (Draft), I had to look through my pamphlet to even figure out who the hell he was. He could have got him in the third round.”
Scott’s use of Jones’ nickname Mac & Cheese (given by former Patriots quarterback Cam Newton) is curious given that Scott himself claimed that Newton’s use of the nickname was “body shaming” the younger quarterback.
“That’s disrespectful, right? That brings up something totally different,” Scott said last year on ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin. “‘Mac and Cheese’ is like one of the most disrespectful nicknames that I’ve heard in a long time, and this dude thinks it’s a term of endearment. Like, I don’t know if somebody told him, he’s pretty much body shaming him.”
The Patriots’ notable additions this offseason include a trade for Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker as well as the signing of veteran cornerbacks Malcolm Butler. The team also traded pass rusher Chase Winovich to the Browns in exchange for linebacker Mack Wilson.
Otherwise, the team’s main moves this offseason have involved the retention of key leaders in the locker room, such as Devin McCourty, Ja’Whaun Bentley, James White and Matthew Slater.
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