Leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, Alabama star quarterback Mac Jones was seen as the most “NFL-ready” of the prospects.
Now in New England via the No. 15 overall pick, Jones is well on his way in a competition with returning veteran Cam Newton for the Patriots starting QB job.
Jones had a mostly impressive spring, looking comfortable running the offense in OTAs and minicamp. He made seemingly quick reads and accurate throws. He looked, for the most part, like he very much fit in.
Even his teammates apparently saw the comfort level of their upstart rookie passer. Via NFL Media, at least one Patriots teammate had extremely high praise of Jones’ work this spring.
“Mac sees the game the way (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) sees it,” the unnamed teammate told NFL Network’s Mike Giardi.
To put that in perspective, other than a short stint as the Broncos head coach (2009-10) and as the Rams OC, McDaniels has been in New England on Bill Belichick’s coaching staff since 2001. McDaniels knows the offense, a system built in part by Charlie Weis, as well as anyone.
To hear that Jones is already seeing things the way his experienced coach does is almost unbelievable.
Sure Jones was dubbed “NFL-ready” by many. But to see the game the way the man who’s run the Patriots offense for most of the last two decades while guiding Tom Brady to elite success? That’s something else.
The scouting report on Jones was always that he doesn’t wow with his physical skills. He’s not going to run. Doesn’t have a cannon for an arm.
That’s all still true.
But he’s supposed to be hard working, heady, accurate and a leader.
According to at least one Patriots teammate, Jones is already proving that in New England as he prepares for his training camp competition with Newton for the starting quarterback job.
