Bruschi pointed out one moment in particular that could provide insight into Belichick’s thoughts on Jones’ future.

Mac Jones during the Patriots’ loss to the Colts in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Tedy Bruschi on Bill Belichick and the Patriots’ current situation: As the Patriots continue to struggle — now 2-8 heading into the bye week — the conversation about the state of the team and the future of its legendary coach has become increasingly difficult for former players.

Count Tedy Bruschi among the group of ex-patriots working in the media who are less than enthusiastic about facing Bill Belichick’s new reality.

“I’d rather not talk about it,” the former New England linebacker admitted half-jokingly during a “Get Up!” segment on Monday morning, less than 24 hours removed from the Patriots’ 10-6 loss to the Colts in Frankfurt, Germany.

“It hurts to see. It pains me to see how I am a former patriot,” Bruschi admitted. “As an analyst here, I only see things getting worse, especially at the quarterback position where Mac Jones continues to make mistake after mistake.”

Bruschi tried to provide measured commentary, prefacing his criticism of the third-year quarterback with a reminder of the broader talent issue regarding New England’s offense.

“Obviously he’s not getting the support he needs, but sometimes your quarterback has to carry you, and that’s something Mac can’t (do),” he said of Jones.

Bruschi cited Belichick’s decision to bring in Jones to backup Bailey Zappe on the Patriots’ final drive of the game as a particularly telling moment.

“We’ve seen a lot of quarterbacks struggle, but in the end they get a drive, and that’s all they really needed. And suddenly they win the game. Bill didn’t even give him that chance,” Bruschi said of Jones. “Bill had seen enough and said, ‘Go away, I’m going to put Bailey Zappe in. Give him a two-minute ride and see if he can do it, because I know you can’t.'”

When assessing the current situation the Patriots find themselves in, Bruschi unsurprisingly focused on the quarterback. In Jones, New England’s 2021 first-round pick, Bruschi doesn’t think he sees a long-term answer for the team.

“When you miss the quarterback, and the quarterback plays like (he) is, and the offense just doesn’t produce results, it affects the whole team,” said Bruschi, outlining his perspective as a former linebacker. “I had the luxury of watching quarterbacks in my career, like a Drew Bledsoe, and then Tom Brady comes in. You just get inspired by the quarterback position. That’s the kind of elusive it is.

“To see Mac playing like this, from the sideline as a defender, you think, ‘What are we doing? What else should I do?’”

As for Belichick, Bruschi — who helped the longtime coach win three Super Bowls in the 2000s — had to grapple with the reality of the Patriots’ current record.

“It’s painful for me to say it’s a hot seat,” Bruschi said of Belichick’s position. “2-8 is also unacceptable. It’s simply unacceptable. Bill knows that.”

A day earlier (in an earlier ESPN appearance), Bruschi emphasized that he firmly believes Belichick is in no danger of being fired midseason.

“We are not the Las Vegas Raiders, and Josh McDaniels is not,” Bruschi said during an “NFL Countdown” segment. “Let Bill finish this, Mr. Kraft. When it comes to the design choice you have at the end, have that meeting. Whatever you think, (whatever) your decision is – whether he moves forward or not – then take it.

“That discussion is absurd,” he concluded.

The Patriots’ next game is on November 26 at MetLife Stadium against the Giants (another team with a 2-8 record).

Trivia: The last time the Patriots had a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft was 2008, when the team selected Jerod Mayo 10th overall. Who was the first quarterback selected in that year’s draft?

(Answer below).

Hint: He came from an ACC school.

Scores and schedules:

The Patriots lost 10-6 to the Colts on Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany. New England now enters the bye week at 2-8.

Tonight the Celtics host the Knicks at 7:30 PM

Tomorrow the Bruins face the Sabers in Buffalo at 7 p.m

More from Boston.com:

Bill Belichick on the possibility of a change at quarterback: Belichick discussed the quarterback situation during both his Monday morning press conference and his WEEI radio appearance.