Going back to training camp, a pivotal week for Mac Jones winning the Patriots' starting quarterback job was when the Giants came to town for joint practices ahead of the preseason finale.
Cam Newton needed to miss five days due to a misunderstanding of COVID-19 protocols, which meant it was all Jones.
Appearing on “Green Light with Chris Long," Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy pointed to that week being when the rookie won his teammates over.
“What’s been impressive I would say with Mac is, and I don’t want this to sound bad or anything, but when Cam was out for that week, and it was the day before we went against the Giants (in joint practices), he was balling against us,” Van Noy said. “It was like, ‘Oh, this dude’s good.’"
Jones received all of the first-team reps during the joint sessions with the Giants and then a week later Newton was cut, giving the job to the No. 15 overall pick.
He was also able to earn the trust of his teammates rather quickly.
“When I tell you (Jones) loves football and he’s a Patriot, that is him, bro,” Van Noy said. “I love him, too. He’s good. He’s really good. I’ve been impressed. For being 23, to handle the things that he’s handled, to be respectful, to get the teammates — like, he’s cool with all the teammates, vets, younger guys — it’s impressive, bro. That’s tough to do.”
He added: “His development, the way he wants to work and (his) attention to detail is impressive, and he’s only going to get better. The more he sees it, he’s like, ‘All right, I saw it. I can diagnose it again. I’m good.’ The more he can see reps, the better he’s going to be. It’s going to be impressive to watch, and I’m very, very happy I’m on his team.”
Jones and the Patriots are 9-4 at the bye and in first place in the AFC.
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