We can all agree that Mac Jones is the future of the Patriots.
He was drafted No. 15 overall in April to meet New England owner Robert Kraft’s desire to solidify the quarterback position for the future, a directive that included no mention of Cam Newton.
So developing Jones in the most timely, effective manner should be an all-hands-on-deck organizational objective at Gillette Stadium.
The only problem is that it became quite clear this week that someone is getting in the way of that process. And that someone is Cam Newton.
Newton’s NFL-mandated five-day absence from the Patriots after a “misunderstanding” regarding travel and COVID testing opened the door for Jones to take all the high level practice reps for a couple days late in training camp. That included Wednesday’s initial joint practice with the Giants when the rookie looked and felt every bit the role of starting quarterback in a highly competitive session.
A day later, though, Newton returned to the mix and adversely affected Jones.
We know that, because Jones admitted as much. With Newton back to take the first-team reps against the Giants, Jones felt the impact.
“[Wednesday] I got a lot of reps and it was great and we communicated and I felt like we were in a really good flow, I kind of got into like a game flow. [Thursday] it’s a little bit harder just to get into that,” Jones admitted of Newton’s return. “Like I said it is harder to get into like a flow, but at the same time when you are a rookie any reps you get it’s going to be awesome.”
Jones’ acknowledgement of the obvious, that he felt more comfortable getting more reps in more impactful teaching situations with the first unit is reminiscent of the preparations for the 2016 season in Foxborough. Remember when fill-in starter Jimmy Garoppolo admitted that practice was a “smoother operation” for him when Tom Brady wasn’t on the field as he began his four-game NFL suspension? Garoppolo had to get ready to start that season’s opener and having Brady around hindered that process.
The difference back then was that Brady was still very much entrenched in the long-term starting quarterback role in New England. Garoppolo was getting ready for a four-week cameo in the GOAT’s Deflategate-related absence.
Now, Jones is trying to fast-track his development to become not only the Patriots quarterback of the future but also the passer of the present. He’s trying to prove himself capable of injecting life into a New England passing game that was essentially lifeless under Newton’s guidance last fall.
Jones has done almost nothing but impress in that effort every step of the way over the last four months.
Jones was as good as or better than Newton throughout spring OTAs and minicamp. He looked even better when training camp began. He’s been on his game every rep he’s gotten in preseason game action and were it not for a few ugly drops from his receivers his numbers and outside perceptions would probably be even greater. He’s proving true his pre-draft description of being “NFL ready.”
Teammates have raved about Jones’ work ethic, swagger, command of the huddle and just about every other aspect of his overall body of work.
He brings clear confidence to the field and when Newton was away from the team Jones looked and felt every bit the starter.
Even offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels appears from afar to be very much energized working with Jones on a play-to-play and day-to-day basis. The pair spends endless time together on the practice field and the playcaller is one of the first to great his budding-star pupil as he exits the field, a fist-bump or pat on the back ever at the ready.
While all this has been happening this spring and summer, Bill Belichick’s words and actions have told a different tale, one of Newton as the starter. He’s called the veteran as much a number of times. He’s treated hime as such in practice reps and preseason game action.
And even with what had to be a disappointing unfortunate series of events that led to Newton’s five-day absence from the team, Belichick still reinstated the incumbent to the top of the depth chart upon his return to practice on Thursday.
At the clear cost of Jones, who articulated his desire to return to the role he held in Newton’s absence, the starting quarterback.
“It’s just something that I obviously want to do. Everyone wants to take first team reps,” Jones admitted.
It’s a role that Jones looked comfortable and productive in. It’s a role he destined to fill, probably sooner rather than later.
But it’s a role that Belichick just won’t take from Newton, at least not yet.
At this point it’s become quite clear that Newton is now getting in the way of Jones’ development.
Or, on second thought, maybe the guy getting in the way of Jones’ development is actually Belichick.
