Mac Jones redeemed himself during the 50-10 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17.
The rookie struggled the two games prior while facing the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills. In both games, he was tossing turnover-worthy throws and he wasn’t nearly as consistent as he’s been all year. Against the Jaguars, Jones threw 22 of 30 for 227 yards and three touchdowns.
Bill Belichick acknowledged this following the game and went into a rant about Jones’ preparation and attitude.
“Mac is super consistent,” Belichick said, via NESN’s Zack Cox. “Every day is really the same day for Mac. He’s always well prepared. He’s in early. He’s ready to go. He knows what we’re going to be doing, and he’s already got a head start on it. He maximizes the information that the coaches give him, maximizes the walkthroughs, the practice reps, and learns from whatever happens in those situations. He’s smart. He’s a good learner, but he’s got good instincts and good mechanics. He’s just worked hard to get better every day. A lot of consistency and great work ethic and really pays attention to details and has just improved in every area throughout the course of the year. Continues to improve on a daily basis.
“He’s just a really great person to coach because he’s so responsive to trying to do everything the way that you want to do it. (Offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) has done a fantastic job with him, and Mac has really, I think, embraced the wisdom that Josh has transmitted to him, and he played extremely well (Sunday).”
Jones has led the Patriots, who are currently 10-6, to a playoff spot in his first season and he’s in the race for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Patriots found the quarterback of the future and he’s ahead of the curve while comparing him to the other signal-callers in the 2021 class.
The Patriots’ season finale is against the Miami Dolphins on the road — which is always a difficult game.
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