Category: Mac Jones

Patriots’ Mac Jones finishes preseason as PFF’s highest-graded rookie QB

Mac Jones didn’t disappoint in the preseason.

Mac Jones didn’t disappoint this preseason.

The New England Patriots’ rookie quarterback did everything he possibly could to earn the starting role over Cam Newton. The decision is now in Bill Belichick’s hands, and he’s still unsure of the Week 1 starter. Jones finished the Patriots’ three preseason games, all of which they won, throwing 36 of 52 passes (69%) for 389 yards and a touchdown.

The Alabama product showed confidence and poise through every game, but most importantly in the final preseason match when he was sacked four times. Jones led the Patriots on back-to-back touchdown drives in the third quarter to pull away with the 22-20 win over the New York Giants.

Pro Football Focus recognized Jones’ above-average play and labeled him as the highest-graded quarterback out of a stacked rookie class.

As aforementioned with his confidence, Jones threw his first NFL touchdown between three defenders without hesitation.

The Patriots were patient in the NFL draft and, as it appears right now, walked away with one of the best choices on the board.

[listicle id=109009]

What stands out most to J.J. Taylor about Patriots QB Mac Jones

Patriots second-year RB J.J. Taylor sees something special in Mac Jones.

Mac Jones put on an absolute show throughout the New England Patriots’ three preseason games.

If he doesn’t earn the starting role in Week 1, it’ll likely come sooner rather than later in the 2021 season. The only thing holding Jones back is Cam Newton — who had a solid string of games, with less snaps to work with. Jones finished his first three NFL outings throwing 36 of 52 passes (69%) for 389 yards and a touchdown.

The recurring message from surrounding players about Jones is regarding his leadership. Devin McCourty discussed it, Trent Brown explained how “special” he can be and former Alabama OT Alex Leatherwhood even expressed this sentiment.

Running back J.J. Taylor was the latest player to use this description of Jones.

“His leadership,” running back J.J. Taylor said to reporters, via NESN. “He’s came in he’s been a great leader. Keeping us motivated, talking to the guys and just holding himself to the highest that he can.”

On top of his leadership, Jones’ work ethic has also been a huge point of discussion.

“Mac has come in here and worked hard,” Bill Belichick said on Monday. “He’s put in a ton of work every day. I think that has paid off and it’s showed up in the things he’s been able to improve on. If he makes a mistake he learns from it and works hard at it — he works hard in the first place so he doesn’t make mistakes. Maybe he gets it right the first time, which is sometimes hard at that position. His work ethic is very good.”

Whether or not Jones will bring that leadership to the field during Week 1 is still unknown.

[listicle id=108947]

Matthew Slater has high praise for rookie QB Mac Jones

Matthew Slater is impressed by the majority of rookie quarterback Mac Jones.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqby79hc76t2s390 player_id=none image=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Count New England Patriots veteran Matthew Slater as another player who is impressed by rookie quarterback Mac Jones.

Jones has been under the spotlight throughout the course of the preseason. Sunday’s preseason finale against the New York Giants could be his final chance to show what he can bring to the table before the regular season begins. Jones threw for 146 yards and converted 13-of-19 pass attempts against the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday.

Slater spoke highly of Jones to the media on Tuesday. In particular, he is impressed by the way the quarterback carries himself as well as the way he is able to reach the locker room.

“Well, I think he’s a great young man,” Slater said in a post-practice media session. “Character really counts when you talk about what we do off the football field, the way we carry ourselves. The way we approach our profession. The way we do things in the community. That translates to the football field.

“And I think Mac is a fine young man. His family should be proud of the way that they raised him and the way he carries himself. The way that he commands respect of even guys like myself — older guys that have been here for a while. And he’s earned that respect by the way that he’s gone about his craft. So he’s been a joy to work with.”

With Jones slated to be the future at the quarterback position for New England, he is already making a strong first impression.

[lawrence-related id=108757]

Here’s how PFF graded Mac Jones in his preseason debut

Pro Football Focus gave Mac Jones a positive grade in his debut Thursday night.

With the Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones making his preseason debut on Thursday, Pro Football focus handed out a grade for his performance.

Jones went 13-of-19 on the evening, throwing for 87 yards. Completing 68.4% of his passes, he averaged 4.6 yards per pass.

New England managed to defeat the Washington Football Team by a 22-13 score. Quarterback play was a key storyline heading into this game, and the rookie was able to see the field extensively as he took part in the first professional football action of his career.

Pro Football Focus gave Jones a grade of 79.5 for his performance.

Jones and the Patriots will face the Philadelphia Eagles next Thursday for their second preseason game. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM.

[lawrence-related id=108352]

What Cam Newton told Mac Jones before the rookie’s preseason debut

Mac Jones picked Cam Newton’s brain before the preseason opener.

Before the New England Patriots’ preseason opener against the Washington Football Team, Mac Jones approached Cam Newton for some wisdom.

Jones, the 15th overall pick in 2021, needed to pick the brain of Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in 2011. It would be Jones’ first look at live action in the NFL. The preseason isn’t technically Jones’ first appearance. But he certainly played against NFL-caliber players, with drives against first-string and second-string defenders. Newton said Jones approached him before the game.

“For him to come out there, I know he came to me and talked to me and we talked it out about just his expectation,” Newton said during a postgame press conference. “Every young quarterback goes through it, the excitement, the anticipation. He wants to be so perfect, and I see his preparation is always pristine. That’s what I admire about him, being at such a young age he knows how to prepare and knows when Josh asks quick questions or when a person asks quick questions he knows how to kind of have answers for it.”

Jones didn’t start the game. Newton was QB1 with two drives at the beginning of the first quarter. He went 4 of 7 for 49 yards, with one of his two drives ending with a field goal.

The rookie quarterback led his position group with 33 snaps (56%), and was 13 of 19 for 87 yards, a sack and a pair of missed deep-ball opportunities. One of the long balls hit receiver Kristian Wilkerson in the hands. One of them was too far for Gunner Olszewski to haul in.

“For him and today’s performance, he’s just going to keep getting better, and we’re going to be here for each other along this whole process, and that’s what we’re here for,” Newton said.

Jones didn’t speak to the media after the game, with the Patriots tending to keep rookies from commenting after their first game.

“Some good things,” Bill Belichick said Friday when asked about Jones. “In general, we need to play faster, react faster.”

It seems Newton is being a bit more open about his feelings on Jones than Belichick — which should surprise no one.

[listicle id=108258]