Former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones was drafted No. 15 overall by the New England Patriots after just a single season of being the Crimson Tide’s starter. He was expected to sit below former NFL MVP Cam Newton on the depth chart for his rookie season and learn before becoming the franchise’s go-to guy.
Instead, a strong training camp and some veteran-like plays during preseason games, talk began about Jones taking over as the starting quarterback at some point in his upcoming rookie season.
Well, earlier today, in a very surprising move, Newton was released and Jones became the team’s starting quarterback.
The internet had plenty to say about the decision:
Mac Jones is QB1 in New England.
The Patriots released Cam Newton, meaning rookie Mac Jones will be their starting QB, as first reported by The Boston Globe and confirmed by @adamschefter. pic.twitter.com/17648wkJ7S
— ESPN (@espn) August 31, 2021
Mac Jones’ jerseys at Patriots Pro Shop are sold out. Already.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 31, 2021
Ages of AFC East starting QBs:
Josh Allen, 25
Tua, 23
Zach Wilson, 22
Mac Jones, 22It's a new era.
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 31, 2021
MAC JONES IS QB1!!! pic.twitter.com/ynFwLMKSb6
— Cruz Oxenreider (@TheRealCruzOx) August 31, 2021
Wow. Cam cut and Mac Jones in. And as fate would have it Tua vs Mac week 1!!!!!!!!
Wowwwww!!!!!!— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) August 31, 2021
No surprise to me. Mac Jones is real deal w/ perfect pedigree (Saban). Remember: Saban/Belichick are tight. Plus, NE is accustomed to Brady. I told y’all: you don’t follow Brady w/ Cam. Sorry for Cam! Hoping he lands somewhere. But this was sooo predictable. Saw this mile away!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 31, 2021
Mac Jones walking into practice after the Patriots released Cam Newton pic.twitter.com/oDmeXwo4OX
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) August 31, 2021
Mac Jones won that job. Period.
— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) August 31, 2021
The little kid talking to Cam Newton in this Play 60 commercial can now be officially identified as Mac Jones: pic.twitter.com/UskOThV3LA
— Evan Marinofsky (@EvanMarinofsky) August 31, 2021
Mac Jones QB1. pic.twitter.com/2plf26AtIt
— Bryce Young Stan Account (@souljabigdraco) August 31, 2021
So much for Alabama quarterbacks being “game managers” they’re slated to have 3 @NFL opening day starters. Mac Jones, Tua, and Jalen Hurts.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 @AlabamaFTBL
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) August 31, 2021
Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Mac Jones as he begins his rookie season in the NFL with the New England Patriots.
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