Mac Jones delivered an impressive rookie season, but expectations will be higher for him in year two for the Patriots.
He exceeded expectations in high school, transforming himself from a three-star recruit to a state champion. Jones went to the University of Alabama in the 2017 recruiting class, and no one expected him to have major success. He silenced critics by posting a redshirt junior season that defied description. Jones set single-season school records for passing yards (4,500) and touchdown passes (41), leading the Crimson Tide to a perfect campaign in 2020. He delivered Alabama to a national championship and won several individual honors. Jones was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy before getting selected as a first-rounder in the 2021 draft.
He guided New England to the playoffs as a rookie, but Robert Griffin III sees bigger things for Jones.
Mac Jones is MOST LIKELY to win a ring FIRST of the rookie QBs who played serious time last year. Bill Belichick and the @Patriots are defensive masterminds, out coach other teams and Mac Attack will stretch the field more after last year has his confidence on ROLL TIDE LEVELS.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 5, 2022
As a former Heisman winner, Griffin says Jones is most likely to be the first Super Bowl Champion of the 2021 rookie quarterbacks. The Patriots should be dominant on defense, and Bill Belichick likes the growth of Jones. His teammates, especially the wide receivers and tight ends, have complimented Jones’ work ethic in practice and with getting his body in shape.
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Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance got all the conversation at quarterback leading into the 2021 NFL Draft.
Zach Wilson, formerly of BYU, was talked up too. If Jones is the first to win a Super Bowl, it quiets douters and gives Nick Saban his first NFL Champion as a starting quarterback. Everyone will be watching to see what Jones does in his sophomore season.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
