When the Patriots open training camp Wednesday, Mac Jones vs. Cam Newton will be all everyone wants to talk about up until it's determined who will be the Week 1 starter.
There are differing opinions on what the Patriots should do, but speaking on ESPN Monday, Monday Night Football analyst Louis Riddick believes it should be Jones.
“I believe Cam will be much better than he was last year," he said. "New England believes the same thing, otherwise they wouldn’t have brought him back. Just common sense leads you to believe Cam will be much better. I do believe though — look, there’s a reason why Bill [Belichick] sat and waited for Mac Jones. I think all the things that make Mac who he is have been things already put on display in the short time that he’s been up there. Now, from a physical standpoint, when the volume becomes even heavier and it becomes 11-on-11 and he starts playing some preseason games, can he take the next step? Does he give this football team the best chance to score points, protect the football, not be the reason they lose games, but contribute to the reasons why they win games. If he does that, he will be the starter Week 1.
“If Bill feels that’s the case. And for me, it’s just a matter of time. It’s a matter of time before they put him in there. I’d like to see it even before they play Tampa Bay. I think that would be a huge story for the rookie to be starting in that game.”
Some believe having Jones start against Tampa Bay in Week 4 would be too much pressure on the rookie and the team should wait until after that game to even consider starting him. But, clearly that doesn't appear to be the case for Riddick.
It should be an interesting few weeks.