The only question left following Thursday’s night’s preseason opener – a 22-13 Patriots win over Washington by the way -- is whether Cam Newton’s time as Patriots starting quarterback is limited or if it’s already over.
This isn’t some summertime preseason action overreaction. It’s simply reality. And it’s especially true if Patriots fans have anything to say about the situation.
The returning veteran Newton indeed got the start in front of his first-ever, post-pandemic Gillette Stadium crowd in the first of three New England exhibition games this August. Newton even led the Patriots on a scoring drive, marching 54 yards to a Quinn Nordin field goal on his second and final possession of the first quarter.
Then, the newly minted No. 10 in Patriots blue jogged onto his new home field with the Foxborough Faithful greeting No. 15 overall pick Mac Jones with an exuberant standing ovation.
It was more than just the passing of the first offensive unit from the questionable incumbent starter to the popular rookie backup in the first quarter of the first preseason game. It felt more like the passing of the torch, the flame that Newton barely kept burning in the Patriots offense for the first year post-Tom Brady.
It felt like a new era in New England.
It’s not like Jones was a human highlight reel in what turned into two-plus quarters of preseason action leading the first and then second units on six possessions, two that ended in field goals.
Nope. Jones completed 13 of his 19 throws (68 percent) for 87 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions for a 78.2 rating. Mediocre numbers, really.
But it was more than the numbers. Jones simply looked and felt the part of a Patriots quarterback in the mold of what media and fans alike grew accustomed to over the last two-plus decades. That’s not to imply that he is or has to be the second coming of Brady. Before that’s even a mythical consideration, he certainly looked a lot more like Jimmy Garoppolo or Matt Cassel than Newton ever has, will or even could.
As has been the case far more often than not in his first 12 training camp practices of the summer, Jones made timely, accurate throws against Washington. He spread the ball around the field to his short and intermediate receivers.
When guys like Jakob Johnson made good catches for him, Jones looked like a veteran leader.
When he was sacked, he took it in stride.
When asked to run a no-huddle, two-minute style drill to open the second half for a little situational work, it was no problem.
When there were drops, he moved on to the next snap.
When he overthrew and just missed Gunner Olszewski on a deep ball he showed some feisty displeasure with himself and then appropriately got back to work.
“He’s working. He’s coming in ready to work, learning from everybody,” veteran teammate James White said afterwards of his rookie QB.
“He’s attacking it. He’s willing to learn and willing to work.”
Jones very much looked the part of a Patriots passer and fans certainly seemed to like what they saw in the present development of their future starting quarterback, a future that may be coming much faster and sooner than many believed mere weeks or months ago.
Hell, Jones even seems to be impressing his competition, Newton.
“He wants to be so perfect and his preparation is always so pristine,” Newton said. “And that’s what I admire about him. For him and today’s performance, he’s just going to keep getting better.”
Yes, yes he is.
Bill Belichick said earlier in camp that Newton remains New England’s starting quarterback, which is exactly what he’s been in every practice this summer and was once again in Thursday night’s preseason opener.
But there is no question Jones is coming on strong, seemingly being fast-tracked in his indoctrination into the Patriots offense under Josh McDaniels.
“We’ll look at it on film. There were some good things.
Plenty of things we can improve on,” Belichick declared, a standard assessment for any player never mind a hotshot rookie QB whose hype train he’s probably trying to somewhat contain.
But Belichick has also called the quarterback competition “healthy” and noted that he expects it to be a “hard decision.”
Jones doesn’t appear to be making it too hard. He keeps taking advantage of nearly every opportunity he gets, including more reps than Newton in most practices and now in at least one preseason game.
How good of a first impression did Jones make?
The Gillette Stadium crowd was chanting “We Want Mac!” late in the fourth quarter long after journeyman veteran Brian Hoyer had taken over the QB reps.
Kids were screaming from the stands for “Mac!” to sign their newly purchased Jones No. 10 jerseys.
A new New England star was born.
Don’t worry, Patriots fans. You have Mac. For now. For the future. And maybe even for the starting job in the Sept. 12 opener against the Dolphins in Foxborough.