Mac Jones: Patriots quarterback talks Tom Brady comparisons
Mac Jones and Tom Brady have many similarities, and just as many differences.
As soon as the New England Patriots parted ways with Cam Newton and annointed Jones the new starting quarterback in New England, all of the Boston radio stations, national media outlets and talking heads began to compare the two.
From a physical standpoint, the comparison makes sense. Stylistically, both Jones and Brady are prototypical pocket quarterbacks, known for their in-depth understanding of offense and attacking the weakness of their opponent’s defense.
“I think, obviously, he’s a great player,” Jones said this week, via Ryan Hannable of WEEI. “The word ‘standard’ kind of hit me there because we all want to play to that standard, ‘The Patriot Way.’ Really, it comes down to just doing your job, so as a quarterback that’s leading the people around me as best as I can and that’s also executing the plays.”
If Jones has thought much about what it would mean to be the Patriots’ next long-term starter after Brady, he didn’t say so.
Rookie winning over Pats fans already
New England Patriots starting quarterback Mac Jones has the second-highest selling jersey in the NFL since Aug. 1, according to Front Office Sports and Fanatics. He trailed only Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen on that period.
Jones joins the list after being named the Week One starter on the same day returning starter Cam Newton was released. A viral video showed fans swarming the team store to secure their new No. 10 Mac Jones jerseys for the upcoming season.
Mac Jones ready to start
The New England Patriots created cap relief when they cut veteran Cam Newton in favor of rookie Mac Jones. The decision came as a surprise to many but ushers in a new era for the team.
Newton saw limited preseason action compared to Jones in order to make sure he remained healthy. Newton only dropped back to pass 21 times compared to 65 attempts by Jones.
But even with the difference in attempts, Jones was statistically more of an impact as the Patriots quarterback. Pro Football Focus graded Newton’s preseason work as an 83.5, well under Jones’ 93.2.
PFF goes on to detail that Jones was a more accurate quarterback overall, and that he was better at “big plays” than Newton. In the same offensive scheme, Jones’ average passing target was 8.9 yards downfield. Newton’s targets were mostly closer, averaging 6.5 yards.
“He definitely did a good job,” Jones said. “When I first got here just watching tape, I watched all the quarterbacks. So obviously he was on there and he did a really, really good job. Hopefully, I can do a good job too.”