Are the Patriots wise or lucky for taking Mac Jones?

By Olivia Lawrence

RP Show Intern

The New England Patriots are now 7-4 after beating the Atlanta Falcons 25-0 on Thursday Night Football. It seems rookie quarterback Mac Jones is getting more comfortable in his starting role, with the Patriots now on five straight wins. Jones has big shoes to fill, with the departure of star quarterback Tom Brady still fresh in the Patriots minds. 

Rod Pedersen asked former National Football League (NFL) quarterback Gus Frerotte if the Patriots were wise taking Jones No.15 in the 2021 NFL draft, or lucky that he fell to No.15 coming out of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. 

“I think they were wise, because a lot of Alabama quarterbacks that we’ve seen come out, haven’t done the things that they did in college,” said Frerotte. “Mack Jones has shown us that he’s smart, he gets rid of the ball, he doesn’t buckle under pressure. I think he might be the rookie of the year. I was looking at Ja’Mar Chase, maybe being the rookie of the year, but I think it’s going to be Mack Jones and I think that [general manager] Bill Belichick is smiling every time he goes out and plays.”

From the beginning of training camp, the Patriots have seemed to have a great deal of confidence in the rookie, but Rod Pedersen asked Frerotte what the Patriots have done from a technical standpoint that has helped Jones be successful. 

“You got to let him make mistakes, he’s a rookie,” said Frerotte. “But you see him doing things that a lot of mature veteran quarterbacks can do, where he’s got a full blitzer, nobody’s blocking him, he retreats a little bit, throws it to only where his receiver can get it, but it’s still a catchable ball. I think that’s one of the things that you can’t teach, and he has that composure, that calm demeanor, and I think that comes from how he knows the offense. I think he’s just going to get better and better. The one thing I think that he is lacking is just that rocket arm, but I think all the other intangibles will help him be a great player.”

NFL fans are saying Jones is the best rookie quarterback from the first round 2021 NFL draft. Both Jones and Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears have been better than the top three picks: Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars), Zach Wilson (New York Jets), and Trey Lance (San Francisco 49ers). 

“He’s shown this year that he’s the best,” said Frerotte. “He’s shown that he can go out and play and win games. The other guys had opportunities, we’ve seen Justin Fields play in Chicago and he hasn’t won, Trey Lance had a couple opportunities, he hasn’t won, and then Trevor Lawrence down in Jacksonville, they’re just struggling as a team. So I think Mack fits well in this team, and he’s shown that he can go out and lead a team to victory.”

The Patriots do not play again until Nov. 28 at home against the dominant Tennessee Titans. Jones and the Patriots will have their work cut out for them to maintain this winning streak.