Mac Jones second in NFL jersey sales, behind only Josh Allen
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.
The remainder of the top five is filled out by three more starting quarterbacks. Veteran quarterback Tom Brady comes in at No. 3 on the list following another Super Bowl win with his new team in Tampa Bay. Justin Fields ranks fourth and is the only other rookie on the list, besides Jones. 2019 MVP and Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes rounds out the list at No. 5.
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.
New starting quarterback
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, a 10-year NFL veteran, joined the Patriots last season as the replacement for Tom Brady. The team failed to make the playoffs after being ravaged by injuries and offered the quarterback a new one-year contract this offseason.
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.
Comments from Jones
During a radio appearance on the Merloni and Fauria radio show, Mac Jones was asked about how he found out the news that he was the starting quarterback. Jones downplayed his excitement at the announcement, more concerned with the teammates he played with that didn’t make the 53-man roster.
“I think it was just kind of with the team meeting and stuff,” Jones said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of guys that they have to get rid of and stuff and it is a tough day for everybody. So, just to be in that room and be where I am at right now as a rookie just to hear that, it’s hard for everybody because there’s a lot of teammates on that day that got let go.
“But, I am looking forward. It is a great opportunity and it’s something I have always wanted to do — be a NFL starting quarterback. But like I said, it doesn’t really mean much. The label is the label, but you’ve got to go out and produce and that’s just what it comes down to.”