For the first time in over 20 years, the New England Patriots have a new future at quarterback. Last month the Patriots drafted Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick, making him the true long-term successor to Tom Brady.
Although the team spent its top pick on Jones, it doesn’t mean he needs to be thrust into the fire right away.
Earlier in the offseason head coach Bill Belichick opted to resign the team’s starting quarterback from a year ago in Cam Newton. This provides a suitable on-field teacher for Jones as he develops, but the starting spot is clearly up for grabs.
Young quarterbacks have begun to play earlier and earlier in their careers with some having great success and others dwindling in just a few games.
There is no right or wrong way to go about developing the position but former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington, who played 11 years in the league, believes Jones should take a similar route to the field as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“I say, ideally – and this is just Chad Pennington talking – if I put my general manager or head coach hat on, ideally I would love to see Mac Jones take a Patrick Mahomes route where Patrick Mahomes is able to learn from a great veteran in Alex Smith,” Pennington said to NBC Sports’ Tom Curran last week. “He was able to make mistakes behind closed doors and didn’t have to answer to why he made those mistakes.
“He’s young. He’s gonna make those mistakes. And then those keys can be handed to him down the road. Is that one year? Is that two years? Don’t know. But ideally speaking that’s what you’d be looking for.”
After being selected No. 10 overall by the Chiefs Mahomes sat an entire season behind Alex Smith who ended up leading the team to the playoffs. The following season Mahomes took over for Smith and immediately won league MVP and helped the Chiefs reach the AFC Championship game which they would lose to Brady and the Patriots in overtime.
Mahomes certainly is a once-in-a-generation talent, but the benefits he received from sitting and learning the game were immeasurable and are currently looked at as the trendy way to get your quarterback ready.
In New England, Jones could have a similar opportunity to gain knowledge behind an experienced player in Newton while he learns Josh McDaniels’ complicated offense.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
