Sunday afternoon, under the bright Vegas lights, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, gifted a spot on the AFC Pro Bowl roster due to a number of other conference players turning down the honor, made the most of his opportunity. Given what a farce the game is, at least when compared to what the Pro Bowl used to be, let alone real NFL game day competition, that’s about all you could ask for.
Jones is not about to put on a QB clinic touchdown clinic, like Josh Allen against Mac in the playoffs, that will turn heads and change minds about who he is and where he is in his development. But when all you can hope to see is your soon to be sophomore signal-caller make some nice plays and give the fans a show, putting some shine to his name and the organization? Well, Jones did that and then some Sunday.
Often reserved and borderline boring behind the microphone and on camera during his rookie season (likely to his coach’s delight), Mac Jones showed as much of his personality as he did his ability to lead a scoring drive against quality NFL talent. And this part of his personality did not involve his girlfriend, her Instagram, pajamas or their dog, either. The Pro Bowl itself is a total slap ’n tickle at this point, a true shadow of its former self. Watching Mac improvise, put some personality out there and delight the fans in attendance at Allegiant Stadium made the all-star slog almost worthwhile. Especially when he went off-script in the fourth quarter and paid tribute to a former SEC opponent.
Whether or not Mac planned on doing “The Griddy”, the touchdown dance made popular by former LSU and current Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, will likely remain a mystery. Not quite the mystery as “What happened to the 2021 Pats after the Bye Week?” Still, it seemed spontaneous, and the crowd and players alike ate it up. And it’s this side of Mac Jones the fans and media alike in Boston would like to see more of. Energy like that, which his teammates speak of but fans don’t get to see much of, would be welcome and perhaps needed going forward.
Other memorable moments include right after Mac threw a nice pass on the 95 yard TD drive ESPN ran a quick Tom Brady tribute. Just the right kind of awkward you’d expect after the past week’s emotions.
But by and large Mac’s poise and presence in his first Pro Bowl drew praise, even from the celebrity NFL ranks.
The Pro Bowl is designed for the best players to have fun, spreading that lighthearted joy and occasional highlight excellence to the fans. With that in mind, Mac Jones’ first NFL all-star game was a massive success. Said exhibition doesn’t come close to the intensity of real NFL gameplay, but that’s not the point, at least for now. Jones showed he can be more than a developing cog of the Patriots machine, and the fans at the game and at home seemed to enjoy it. Here’s hoping Mac emerges from the long shadow of Brady, and the grip of Belichick, and prioritizes showing the fans who he really is more often in 2022. And hey - if Mac can add that to his other offseason priorities? Sky’s the limit!