How does an organization move on from Tom Brady? There’s no easy solution, but the New England Patriots hope they’ve found one with Mac Jones, the 15th overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jones had a strong first season in New England, helping lead the Patriots to their first playoff appearance in the post-Brady era. Many expected that momentum to carry into 2022, but the Patriots stumbled out of the gates, looking out of sync on offense while missing the postseason.
Now the 24-year-old QB heads into his third NFL season, a crucial point in a young signal-caller’s development. Only the Patriots aren’t exactly beaming with excitement regarding their starting QB. Or, if they are, the organization isn’t doing a very good job of showing it.
According to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, Mac Jones’ standing within the organization “depends on who you ask.” He does on to note how coach Bill Belichick has been extremely reluctant even to utter his QB’s name this offseason. Is that simply one of Belichick’s motivational tools used to push a young player? Possibly.
It’s also possible he just isn’t that thrilled with his current QB, and it’s not hard to forget the spark Bailey Zappe initially provided in spot duty last season. Could a controversy be brewing in New England? Probably not.
Based on Volin’s report, it sounds as if the Kraft ownership group is on very good terms with Jones and already views him as the QB of the future in Beantown. This takeaway was due to Jonathan Kraft’s powerful defense of Jones in brief interactions with Volin earlier this offseason, along with the Pats QB being involved in a recent get-together with several alumni of the team.
So even if Belichick may not be entirely sweet on Jones (and who knows, it could all be a ploy), the pressure from ownership could give the Patriots QB a longer leash than some this season. Of course, he can get rid of the leash altogether by helping New England stand out among a tough AFC East division in 2023.
Related: Ranking Mac Jones among 32 NFL starting quarterbacks