Debut of The Mac

By Michael Rifkin

On Thursday night, the New England Patriots got a shot at the guy who might be their next franchise quarterback. The Patriots first-round pick out of Alabama, Mac Jones, went 13-19 for 87 yards in his NFL debut against the Washington Football team. Jones played in the second and third quarters. Patriots coach Bill Belichick on Jones “ We’ll look at the film and see. Some good things, plenty of things we have to work on. Same as everybody else.” Jones was the first quarterback New England has selected in the first round since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. Jones is battling to start quarterback with former MVP Cam Newton, who also saw action Thursday night.

Last year at Alabama, Jones set an NCAA record with a 77.4 completion percentage with 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. Jones led Alabama to another National Championship. This is an unusual spot for the Patriots to be in, as, before the 2020 season, they could pencil in Tom Brady as the team’s starting quarterback. Tom hoisted the Lombardi trophy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February. Meanwhile, in New England, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the common factor not having Tom Brady, Brady in 2008 tore his ACL in week 1, and the Patriots missed the playoffs despite going 11-5. In week 4 of this season, Brady returns to Foxborough to play the Patriots for the first time, and the question is, who will be the Patriots starter?

You cannot compare Jones to Brady, who is the greatest quarterback of all time, but there is a lot to be excited about if you are a Patriots fan. Jones has the potential to be unique, just be patient and let him develop. Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels have done this before, and they have the ability to do it again.