Patriots DB takes apparent shot at Bill Belichick on social media

Dec 29, 2019; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines during the second half of their loss to the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots defensive back Jalen Mills seemingly took a shot at coach Bill Belichick on Friday over the success a former Patriot is having elsewhere.

Mills made a cryptic post on Friday about how much it matters to a player when their coach believes in them. Many observers felt that Mills was making reference to former New England defensive back Jack Jones, who had a highlight-reel pick-six in Thursday’s blowout Las Vegas Raiders win.

It’s crazy what a coach showing a player that they believes in you can do for their confidence and performance..

— Jalen Mills (@greengoblin) December 15, 2023

“It’s crazy what a coach showing a player that they believes (sic) in you can do for their confidence and performance,” Mills wrote.

Mills did not name names, but the subject matter seemed obvious to many. Jones landed with the Raiders a month ago after the Patriots waived him, and has 15 total tackles in four games since.

Admittedly, Mills is leaving out that there were definitely other factors at play in the Patriots’ decision to part ways with Jones. This may be an instance where a parting of ways was best for both parties.

On the other hand, Patriots players taking apparent shots at Belichick has become remarkably common this year when it would have been unthinkable in the past. That may be a consequence of growing rumors that Belichick may be on his way out at the end of an awful season.