FOXBORO — Mac Jones’ performance in the Patriots’ 20-17 Week 9 loss to the Commanders likely won’t do anything to change anyone’s opinion about the quarterback’s 2023 campaign or potential future with the team.

The Patriots starting quarterback finished 24-of-44 for 220 yards with a touchdown and interception as the offense as a whole struggled to move the ball outside of two scoring drives that ultimately felt more like flukes after taking in the entire performance as a whole.

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Their first touchdown came on a three-play, 25-yard drive after the Patriots recovered a Commanders fumble. Their second touchdown came on a two-play, 84-yard scoring drive that ended on a 64-yard run by Rhamondre Stevenson with a hole so big in the Commanders’ defensive line that the helicopter featured in a pre-game flyover could have fit through it.

Jones was not particularly good in Sunday’s game. But he also could have used more help. Stevenson dropped Jones’ second passing attempt of the game. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor had a deep shot go through his hands with 10:27 left in the third quarter. Rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas couldn’t hold onto a ball while falling to the turf with 9:42 left in the fourth quarter. And the Patriots’ last-minute comeback attempt ended prematurely when a passing target to JuJu Smith-Schuster clanged off the receiver’s hands and to Commanders rookie cornerback Jartavius Martin for an interception.

Jones was asked if he needs to be more demanding with his receivers.

“I think just for me, just keep communicating, right?” Jones said. “Keep instilling confidence in everybody, let them know that I trust them, because I do, right? I wouldn’t throw it in there, fire it in there if I didn’t think they were going to catch it or get open. That’s part of the game. Sometimes it’s days like that, it’s weeks like that where it’s bang-bang plays all around the board. But at the end of the day my focus is, like I said, try to motivate everybody, keep them motivated. There’s still a lot of room to grow. I know the record is no good right now, but we’re growing together. We got a lot of young guys working hard and trying to grow.”

The Patriots QB did not take the full blame for his interception at the end of the game, but he also made sure to note that the team wouldn’t have been in the position to make that play if Smith-Schuster hadn’t picked up two first downs earlier in the drive. Jones also said he could have thrown a better ball to protect Smith-Schuster better.

The Patriots were without starting wide receivers Kendrick Bourne (on injured reserve with a torn ACL) and DeVante Parker (concussion) and starting left tackle Trent Brown (ankle/knee injuries) in Week 9.

Jones was asked about his chemistry with the Patriots’ wide receivers and about the team’s overall weapons since there has been so much turnover on offense through nine weeks.

Jones acknowledged those difficulties, saying it was a “great point.” But he still ultimately wouldn’t throw his pass catchers under the bus.

“It’s just a lot of different guys each week, but at the same time we have a great standard that we set,” Jones said. “It’s just trying to go do it every play. I think there’s guys out there who can make the plays and it’s my job to get the ball to them. I have a lot of confidence in Jalen, Tyquan [Thornton], Pop [Douglas], Hunter [Henry], Mike [Gesicki], JuJu, all those guys. Obviously DP [DeVante Parker] wasn’t there today. The whole group is very much so close together and they work really hard. It’s not like we’re not on the same page. We’re really close. We’re right there. We’re just a little bit short.”

It was also mentioned to Jones after the game that other quarterbacks in the NFL have a chance for more shot plays when asked if he feels like he has to be particularly precise given the small windows he has to throw into. He acknowledged it again.

“That’s a great point but at the same time we’re always going to focus on us and what we can do better and the things we need to improve, what I need to improve and all that stuff,” Jones said. “But, yeah, that’s a good question.”

Jones has certainly struggled this season. But it’s also fair to point out that injuries and personnel decisions have hampered the third-year pro as the Patriots started the season 2-7.