No one could possibly know what the 2023 season holds for Mac Jones and the Patriots.
Success? Failure? Mediocrity?
All are legitimate possibilities based on the way the former No. 15 overall pick plays in his crossroads third NFL season. And certainly some of Jones’ development – or maybe redevelopment is a better way to describe it after the regression the quarterback went through thanks in large part to an unprecedentedly idiotic New England offensive coaching staff “experiment” last fall – will depend on what happens around him with the offensive line, his weapons and this version of a Patriots’ team as a whole.
But for the here and now of August, with one preseason game left to play and no real, career-altering action for at least a few more weeks, it’s hard to feel anything but that Jones is in a good place.
The former Alabama star has talked a plenty about his comfort in a new offense under the unquestioned and proven leadership of Bill O’Brien.
He’s been more upbeat and, as both he and his teammates see it, confident.
Jones has talked openly and often this summer about trust. Trust in those around him and building the trust those around him have in Jones. It’s a two-way street that’s currently cruising nicely toward the regular season.
Just ask Adrian Phillips, who apparently not only goes against Jones every day in practice, but who’s also become a trusted confidant and advisor for the young passer.
“I just think overall, he’s a way better quarterback,” Phillips said after practice on Tuesday of Jones. “He took last year on the chin. He’ll be the first one to tell you that’s not how he wanted to play. And for all of us, that’s not how any of us wanted to play. But he’ll be the first to tell you that, and he’s coming out here every single day and he’s trying to light our defense up. Like, literally, light us up. I’m talking bombs, anything that he can do. You just love to see that. He’s always checking the play. He’s always ready to give you something that you have to think about. I just think his confidence is through the roof right now.”
It’s safe to say Jones’ confidence was anything but through the roof last year. He was frustrated. He was aware of the dysfunction going on around him on the New England offense with the structure and scheme Bill Belichick put in place. It was at the epicenter of a football disaster. Taking the hits to his body on the field and to his reputation off it.
Now, though, all feels oh so right for Jones. You can see it in his air, aura and body language on the practice field. You can’ hear it in his words. As Phillips’ comments show, Jones’ coaches and teammates certainly are well aware of the difference in their franchise quarterback, at least for now.
Sure, Jones accurately noted that he hasn’t even played a game yet, “so I don’t know if that’s true or not” in regards to Phillips suggestion that he’s a “way better quarterback.”
That’s not something that can be proven or disproven on the practice field or in preseason action. The proof will be in the regular season pudding for Jones and his Patriots. But for now, Jones is in a good place.
“I think confidence is key, really just with teammates, knowing that you can trust them and they can trust you is a big thing for me,” Jones said.
All is seemingly positive on that front this August, at the very least. And that’s a good place to start from for any quarterback and football team.