Mac Jones was the star of Patriots’ training camp. He ran a crisp offense during his ample preseason opportunities and wowed spectators with his joint practice performance against the Giants. Bill Belichick provided Jones with the every chance to win the starting job.
That’s what he did. Now, the Patriots making a deep playoff run is back in play.
Jones’ rookie status won’t hold them back — if he’s as good as we think.
It’s true that no rookie quarterback in NFL history has ever led his team to a Super Bowl. Kordell Stewart took a handful of snaps in shortage yardage situations when the Steelers faced off against the Cowboys in 1995, but Neil O’Donnell started 12 games that season, along with every playoff game.
Historically, rookie quarterbacks have not led their teams to the playoffs. That makes a lot of sense, since rookie quarterbacks usually start on lousy teams.
But the trend is changing. Eight of the 12 rookies who started at least 10 games and played in the postseason accomplished their feat since 2004. Lamar Jackson isn't part of the group, because he started Baltimore’s final seven games in 2018, just like Dan Marino started Miami’s last nine games in 1983.
But of course, both players were the x-factors in their teams’ playoff runs. The Ravens went 6-1 under Jackson, and Marino made the Pro Bowl.
Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers are also excluded from this list, because both sat to start their careers. They made the playoffs in their first years as starters.
It’s no longer rare for highly regarded rookies to replace veterans. Over the last three years, 11 of the 12 quarterbacks taken in the first round have started at least seven games in their rookie season. Jordan Love, who’s sitting behind Rodgers, is the only exception.
Right now, we know at least two more rookies will start Week 1 along with Jones: Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. Bears head coach Matt Nagy said recently Andy Dalton will start for them, but Justin Field’s ascension appears to be inevitable.
The two rookies who started at least 10 games last season, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, lit up the scoreboard — playing better than many of their peers. Burrow was the favorite for Rookie of the Year before tearing his ACL. The LSU standout completed 65% of his passes for 2,688 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Herbert, who suddenly received the starting job after a Chargers team trainer punctured Tyrod Taylor’s lung, threw for a staggering 4,336 yards with 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Though the Chargers went 6-9 with Herbert, they lost seven games by one possession, and won their last four.
There’s little doubt the Patriots would’ve been much better with Herbert last season than Cam Newton.
Jones outperformed Newton throughout the summer. His preseason numbers popped — 36 of 52 for 388 yards with one touchdown, no interceptions and five sacks — and the offense flowed when he was under center. In his preseason debut, he completed 8 of 9 passed to lead the Patriots on a scoring drive.
It’s hard to imagine Newton being that precise.
Notably, Jones has earned praise from many ex-NFL players. Louis Riddick endorsed him as the best QB of the draft; Rob Ninkovich campaigned for him to get the starting job; Dan Orlovsky said he would take the Patriots back towards the top of the AFC.
Belichick built the Patriots to win now. He doled out a record-setting $159.6 million in guarantees to overhaul his roster, bringing in a high-priced group of pass-catchers: Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne. They inked star pass-rusher Matthew Judon to a big contract as well ($36 million guaranteed).
At 69 years old, Belichick doesn’t have much more time to waste. He’s not interested in developing a rookie and going though a prolonged learning curve. That’s probably why the Patriots signed Newton in the first place — as insurance.
Jones showed Belichick he doesn’t need it.
