Expectation is a powerful force.
It essentially defines how we interpret production, performance and results in all aspects of our lives.
This really isn’t a scoreboard world, it’s more a world where every scoreboard is assessed as compared to prior expectations.
Hear lots of over-the-top hype for the latest blockbuster movie or streaming TV series? That usually leads to disappointment from an otherwise fine flick or palatable program.
Planning for a massive Christmas bonus like Clark Griswold only to get what otherwise might be considered a kind gesture? Let the reactionary rants roll!
There may be no better example of the power of expectation than in parenting. When your straight-A student comes home with a B-minus, you ask what happened. But when you’re struggles-to-keep-academically-afloat kid gets a B-minus it’s worthy of a celebration!
Same tangible results. Different reactions. All based on expectations.
That’s the reality that Patriots rookie starting quarterback Mac Jones is embarking on today.
After enjoying some time off on Labor Day Weekend, maybe a chance to reflect on what he’s accomplished by beating out veteran Cam Newton and ascending to the top of the QB depth chart before his first NFL snap, Jones and his Patriots return to work to begin preparations for Sunday’s season opener against the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.
Now the real job begins for Jones at the most important position in all of sports in a place where that position was played at the highest level for two decades. And the lowest level for one season.
Good luck.
But before we can begin to assess Jones’ coming accomplishments, production and results we all have to ask ourselves two simple questions: What are we expecting? and Are those expectations tied more to Jones’ individual play or the Patriots team results?
In both cases, it seems Jones faces an uphill battle toward perceived success as a 2021 rookie.
Some are already touting how Jones might stack up to more notable rookie and first-year starters from the NFL past. Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to an AFC title game. Dan Marino went to the Super Bowl in his second season. Patrick Mahomes did the same, his first year as a starter. And the endless comparisons to Tom Brady, who won the Super Bowl as a Pro Bowl passer in New England in 2001 (his second season, first as a starter taking over for an injured Drew Bledsoe), continue pile up faster than pancakes at an IHOP on Sunday morning.
From a team perspective, many are already declaring that Jones must lead the retooled, rebuilt Patriots to the playoffs as a rookie for his first year to be considered a success. This is New England, after all, and he does have Bill Belichick coaching him up on a weekly basis for a team that won seven games a year ago. For some, it’s playoffs or bust when it comes to Jones.
All of those expectations, are simply unrealistic and unfair.
The reality is that it’s hard to make the playoffs in the NFL. It’s even harder to play the quarterback position at a high level, especially as a rookie.
Even individual accomplishment like what Justin Herbert did for the Chargers last fall can’t always overcome ineptitude in other areas. Was Herbert’s rookie season a success in L.A.? Of course it was, he injected passion into a passionless fan base that now seemingly has a bright future. But he wasn’t really close to getting that talented team to the postseason despite throwing for 4,300 yards with 31 touchdowns and just 10 picks for a 98.3 passer rating.
Must Jones make the playoffs? Must he throw for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns?
Or, could he help the Patriots simply improve their record to eight wins, one more than a year ago? Could he throw nine touchdowns, one more than Newton last fall?
Does he just have to be a better passer than Newton? Not that hard.
Does he have to remind people of Brady? Unfairly hard.
How well will Jones do this season? That probably depends more on what you’re expecting from the rookie QB than what he actually produces on the football field. Success is, after all, relative.
Right now, expectations for the former Alabama star are pretty high, probably too high. Meaning he might be getting set up like a you know what by outside forces for perceived failure almost regardless of what he’s able to accomplish.
Unless of course he leads New England to an AFC title game in the fashion of a Roethlisberger or Brady, Hall of Famers. Then he’ll be just fine.
Good luck, Mac! You’re going to need it.