Mac Jones will be the Patriots' starting quarterback against Miami on Sunday in the season opener.
But, this wasn't known until last Tuesday when Cam Newton was released, thus making the rookie the starter.
So, how did Jones himself find out?
He was asked that very question during his appearance on Merloni & Fauria Tuesday.
“I think it was just kind of with the team meeting and stuff," he said. "Obviously, there’s a lot of guys that they have to get rid of and stuff and it is a tough day for everybody. So, just to be in that room and be where I am at right now as a rookie just to hear that, it’s hard for everybody because there’s a lot of teammates on that day that got let go.
"But, I am looking forward. It is a great opportunity and it’s something I have always wanted to do — be a NFL starting quarterback. But like I said, it doesn’t really mean much. The label is the label, but you’ve got to go out and produce and that’s just what it comes down to.”
Jones said Newton was a great mentor this summer and he knows the two will stay in touch.
The rookie obviously then had more in-depth conversations afterwards with the coaches.
“Yeah, of course," he said. "That’s what you can assume and it’s kind of how it goes, you just want to be on the same page as all the coaches and everything. They did a good job of explaining the entire situation and a lot of that is private. It’s between me and Coach and all that. Obviously, you have to have that conversation and it was good. I told them that it’s a great pleasure to be named quarterback, but at the same time I feel like we have a lot of work to do and we’re just going to work every day and stack the days together.”
But was Jones surprised at all?
“Not really," he said. "I mean, like I always say, I prepare to be the starter and every day you come in and I got the chance to get a lot of reps, so nothing really changes. Just trying to be a good teammate. Trying to learn the plays every day and fix what I messed up on, listen to Josh [McDaniels] and all the guys in the quarterbacks room, you just take their advice like I always have since I have been here.
"Like I said, nothing really changes. It’s exciting.”
Jones will make his starting debut Sunday against the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.
