New England enjoyed a 20-year run of having a vice grip on the AFC East with Tom Brady.
Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick wanted to create the same effect with a new quarterback, so the Patriots selected Mac Jones at No. 15 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The University of Alabama alum had a successful first season, setting franchise rookie records for passing yards (3,801) and passing touchdowns (22). Jones guided New England to the playoffs at 10-7, made his first Pro Bowl as an alternate, and got voted onto the NFL’s Top 100 Players list. He accomplished this with longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels calling the plays. Jones struggled last season, and his frustration got documented by the sideline moments he had with Matt Patricia.
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Patricia, a defensive mind, is not known for offense.
Jones finished 2022 with less than 3,000 passing yards (2,997) and had 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. The Patriots used backup Bailey Zappe a few times, and fans became interested in seeing more of him under center. Some controversy started on whether it was time for New England to go to Zappe over Jones; however, a former Patriot set the record straight on the Jones offseason fodder on Good Morning Football. Devin McCourty, a three-time Super Bowl Champion, is all in on Jones as the guy.
“Sources say Mac Jones rubbing people the wrong way”@devinmccourty says… pic.twitter.com/LV4rNdFjik
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) February 27, 2023
“I would not go too hard off what people are saying in New England,” McCourty said. “What I will say about Mac Jones is the combine is sponsored by NOBULL this year. Mac is NOBULL. They know the future is Mac Jones. I am excited for this guy because you got Bill O’Brien coming in as the offensive coordinator. He’s had great success and has done well everywhere he’s been. He’s going to come in and work with Mac. Mac has stability around him. I think the team is going to go out there and get another receiver. Hopefully, they will bring my guy Jakobi Meyers back. Mac was a captain in his second year and a captain as a rookie leading those guys. I am really excited about Mac. I think the sky’s the limit, and he is the future of New England.”
McCourty equates Jones’ struggles in 2022 to the movement of the coaching staff.
He believes the former two-time College Football Playoff National Champion from Alabama football is the man going forward.
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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.
