Today marked a historic day in Patriots history, as the team has officially turned the page at the quarterback position, with Mac Jones at the helm.
It felt like almost everyone across the NFL was gearing up for Cam Newton to be the Patriots’ starting quarterback to start the 2021 season. But, Bill Belichick and the Patriots had other plans. Cam Newton was a causality of cut-down day, and was released.
Cam Newton was coming off arguably the worst season of his career. The Patriots had a 7-8 record under Newton, and their offense ranked 27th in points per game, and 27th in yards per game. Newton also had a QBR of 47.0, which ranked 30th in the NFL, last season.
But, despite his mediocre 2020 season, it was wildly expected that Newton would be the team’s starting quarterback. Newton started each and every preseason game, being the first quarterback through both team and individual drills all training camp.
Even with Newton having the leg up in the competition, Mac Jones still found a way to outshine Newton in training camp practices, the preseason, and most notably the joint practices. To me, the tide turned and Mac Jones won the starting quarterback job a week ago during the joint practice against the New York Giants. While Cam Newton was not available to practice due to COVID protocols, Mac Jones shredded the Giants first-team defense.
His joint practice performance was considered to be, “surgical” as he tore up the Giants first-team defense, which many believe is a top-10 unit in the NFL. Joint practices are very important in Belichick’s eyes, and Jones certainly passed that test. That eye-opening showing was not singular, as Jones put together one of the most efficient preseason’s amongst NFL quarterbacks. Jones was 36/53 throwing for 389 yards and 1 touchdown pass. Jones was the quarterback for 10 drives this preseason, 8 of them concluded in points. Jones got the most work this preseason, getting much more preseason reps then Cam Newton.
Jones did everything the Patriots asked him to do, and dealt with so many different examples of situational football during the preseason. Including instances of no huddle, two-minute drills, and third-and-long situations. And even being ready to take all the first-team reps during Cam Newton’s absence from practice
Jones has quickly made an impression on his teammates and coaches in his short time in New England. Veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer was very complimentary of Jones’ work ethic:
Tight end Jonnu Smith also spoke glowingly about Jones’ work ethic:
“He’s a hard worker, so I’m looking forward to seeing him do great things.”
Everyone has bought into Mac Jones, and Bill Belichick rightfully made the correct call to make him the starter, and to part ways with Cam Newton. Mac Jones is a better quarterback than Cam Newton, it’s that simple. Jones’ ceiling in 2021 is light years ahead of Newton’s.
What Bill Belichick did today was gutsy, and took a real level of confidence in Jones. As Adam Schefter reported today on ESPN’s First Take, “They are so sure of Mac Jones that they felt like it would be unfair to have Cam on the roster.”
This is Mac Jones’ team, there was no reason to have a former league MVP breathing down his neck. Newton is certainly a better option then Brian Hoyer as the Patriots’ backup. But, in order to fully give Jones the keys to the offense, Newton couldn’t be in the picture.
The last few months have been constantly filled with chatter about how the Patriots would be afraid to let Mac Jones play all 17 games. Or, the narrative that Bill Belichick doesn’t play rookies. Or, Belichick’s loyalty to Cam Newton would ultimately win him the job.
But, it turns out, all that did not come to fruition.
This is Mac Jones’ team, and the Patriots enter a new era in very capable hands.
Mac Jones is the future, and now is indeed the present.