Thursday, August 12, 2021: New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones 10 warms up before the NFL, American Football Herren, USA preseason game between the Washington Football Team and the New England Patriots held at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeat Washington 22-13. /CSM Foxborough USA - ZUMAc04_ 20210812_zaf_c04_110 Copyright: xEricxCanhax
The New England Patriots are back to being one of the leading teams in the AFC. One of the reasons they have been able to get back to winning ways in 2021 is down to their rookie quarterback, Mac Jones.
Before the regular season began, Jones was in a battle with Cam Newton for the starting spot in Foxborough and he got the nod over the former MVP. That decision was questioned at the time, however, it proved to be an inspired move by Bill Belichick.
Jones has led his team to a 9-4 record through their opening 13 games of the season. The Patriots were 2-6 following eight matches, but seven consecutive victories have helped New England climb to the top of their division and conference.
Patriots fans will be dreaming of their seventh Super Bowl trophy at the end of the campaign. They are +650 in the Superbowl odds, which suggests they are very much in the mix along with the likes of Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Arizona Cardinals.
The quarterback position in New England was always going to be a difficult position to fill as Tom Brady had an incredible amount of success in the role between 2004 and 2020. Newton failed to replicate the form he showed for the Carolina Panthers during his year in the job and lasted just one year.
Jones has the benefit of working under one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. If he continues to improve, it could be the start of another successful partnership at the franchise.
Jones has the chance to make history this season as no rookie QB has ever made the Super Bowl before. Mahomes was successful in his first full season with the Chiefs, but he had the luxury of shadowing Alex Smith for a season in his rookie year.
The 2020 Heisman Trophy nominee has thrown 16 touchdowns through his opening 13 games in the NFL. He has recorded 2,869 passing yards and has a QB rating of 97.0. Although those numbers are impressive, it is his composure that is arguably the most eye-catching. The 23-year-old has not looked out of place in the league.
Jones was selected by the Patriots as the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. There were four quarterbacks drafted ahead of him (Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Justin Fields). Of the five QBs taken in the first round, it is the former Alabama player who has had the biggest impact.
Lawrence has shown glimpses of why the Jacksonville Jaguars took him first overall back in April. He is clearly a player who has an exciting future in the league but is in a struggling team at the moment.
Wilson has found it tough with the New York Jets. He has thrown 11 interceptions in the eight games he has started and has scored just six touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Lance and Fields have both featured with their respective franchises but are players who are likely to improve with more experience in the league.
Jones has a great chance of ending the year as the offensive rookie of the year and that would be an award he fully deserves.