Sunday Sept. 12 the New England Patriots play, arguably, their most exciting and most intriguing regular-season game in years, if not more than a decade. The excitement being generated for this late afternoon home kickoff has less to do with opening day, their opponent (no disrespect, Miami), nor the return of fans after over a year and a half (welcome back).
No, this is all about the new guy, No. 10, young Michael McCorkle “Mac” Jones, who Sunday makes his first NFL start for the six-time Super Bowl champion Patriots, after besting former MVP Cam Newton, last year’s starter, for the coveted gig. Patriots fans are hoping he is the one who takes hold of the job for years to come, not to mention the one who returns them to the postseason after (GASP!) a whole season’s absence, brings balance to The Force and cures their endless Tom Brady hangover, among other things.
Given the success Jones has experienced, despite facing doubt at every level, who among us would bet against him? He presents an all-American facade despite being incredibly feisty (just ask Trent Brown), had to fight his way past more highly recruited players to get his shot, prides himself on being competitive at all times, has fielded criticisms over his body and arm strength and still seems to play his best on the biggest stage.
Hmm ... sound like someone else who was under center in New England for a couple of decades?
This high praise, this ultimate comparison, is among the many unexpected hurdles facing Jones in his first professional start, and his inaugural season with the Patriots; the nonstop comparisons to The GOAT. No greater compliment could be offered to Jones than people on radio, on TV, in the know or in the bleachers saying he reminds them of the greatest to ever sling it. And while Jones has shown the focus and mental fortitude to do exactly what coach Bill Belichick preaches, ignoring the noise, after a while the din grows pretty loud. Especially with so many Hall of Famers saying he reminds them of Brady, not to mention others already enshrined in Canton.
It’s almost impossible to avoid at this point - whether it’s a preseason statistical comparison, some random football internet, or any given Thursday morning on ESPN.
OK, fine. That’s what the online and sports broadcast community do; make nonstop comparisons looking for the next Jordan, LeBron, Kobe, etc. Locally we have to hope Pats fans will be able to judge, appreciate and criticize Mac Jones on his own merit and not what he’s like in comparison to Brady. Big ask, I know - like asking people to be patient in rush hour, or kind on Twitter. Whether or not the masses and media let Mac be Mac is one of THE million-dollar questions of his young career. Being compared to the best ever in your, or any, uniform is a daunting if not impossible task. The idea is to just win, baby. But if those who root for or cover the team are always holding Jones to The Brady Standard then even a modestly to very successful season, or career, will almost seem a failure. No matter where Jones was drafted that’s an unfair watermark.
Fortunately, the same kind of cool Jones displays in a crowded passing pocket is on display when he discusses this very topic. The Mac Jones hype train has been building up some serious steam, much to the dismay of some other fanbases, nevertheless with good reason. Jones already looks like a seasoned pro. He has the No. 2 selling NFL jersey since Aug. 1, not to mention the Patriots Pro Shop sold out of his jersey the day he was named starter for the Pats! He won over most fans with his play on the field, then charmed the rest by admitting on WEEI to doing football walkthroughs with his girlfriend Sophie. This guy is a hard-working local and national football dream! He lives, eats and breathes football, kinda like ...
See how easy it is to do what I almost just did!
His coach, Bil Belichick, a master of emotional judo, obviously likes Jones enough to trust him with the franchise now and for the foreseeable future. But don’t expect him to heap excessive praise on Jones, or compare him to anyone, let alone Brady. Belichick knows better, understanding that Jones will draw relentless comps to TB12 now and for a time to come. And Belichick hardly heaped praise on the best QB he ever coached (“We’re not talking about open-heart surgery here” come to mind, anyone?) Expect Belichick to take a “he is who he is” approach to Mac’s development. Jones did study under Belichick’s friend, the equally ebullient Nick Saban, so he’s likely used to not being told he did well. Whether or not others can follow suit has a game-day status of doubtful.
Being the next Elway/Manning/Brady is the dream for any QB, but potentially a headache along the way when the path laid out for you is so decorated with accomplishment. Same with being a franchise savior. For the previously anointed one in New England, Drew Bledsoe? Well, there wasn’t much to live up to prior, so anything positive he did was a massive win. Jones, however, steps under center a year removed from someone who made Super Bowl appearances seem like a given, not a gift. Again, perhaps that’s a challenge Jones relishes. Whether fans can resist comparing his accomplishment timeline and trophy case to Brady’s is another story.
Expectations, be they great or low, can be an inspiration or a disaster. I quote far too frequently from movies, and one of my favorites is, “With great power comes great responsibility.” from “Spider-Man” in 2002. Mac knows he has a huge opportunity in front of him, and knows who he’s succeeding, and likely will treat it as such; with great effort and deference. We, too, have a responsibility to let Mac be Mac, as hard as it will be to not judge him otherwise.
Jones has so much to live up to before he throws even his first professional pass, but seems ready for his chance to be great. Mac has a good team around him, the right attitude and that trajectory of his thus far is undeniably Brady-esque. So much so it’s ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as the amount of coverage Jones has received before said first pass/TD/win. And so with all he’s got going for him, and who he has believing in him, Mac Jones may just be the next great Patriots QB. We just have to let him try do it as he would, as Mac Jones, a highly touted rookie out of Alabama who seems to have plenty going for him on his own, and not as the next Tom Brady.
I mean, if we’re being fair, nobody should be compared to Tom Brady.