Former New England Patriot says Mac Jones was helping Cam Newton learn playbook

Former New England Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich claims that rookie quarterback Mac Jones knew the Patriots offense so well that he was helping veteran Cam Newton learn the playbook.

“I’ve got some inside sources now, and I won’t say names, but from what I gained,” Ninkovich said, continuing, “Mac was basically helping Cam learn the playbook. So, imagine that. … Mac was having less mental errors in having a better understanding of the offense.”

Following Tom Brady’s departure to Tampa Bay, the Patriots signed Newton, a veteran, to serve as the starting quarterback. Newton last season threw for 2,657 yards with a 65.8 completion percentage, eight touchdowns and ten interceptions.

Newton, the Carolina Panthers’ first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, had a Heisman Trophy-winning senior season with the Auburn Tigers and led the Panthers from one of the NFL’s worst to a 2015 Super Bowl team.

One year later, the Patriots drafted Jones, Alabama’s national championship-winning quarterback, with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Jones in 2020 set an NCAA single-season record with a 77.4 completion percentage, coupled with 4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2020 but ultimately lost to his teammate, wide receiver DeVonta Smith.

What ensued throughout the Patriots preseason was a bit of a competition between Jones and Newton over the starting job. Ultimately, Jones was selected as the team’s starter, but not without the surprise transaction of releasing Newton entirely, placing Brian Hoyer firmly in the backup role and further solidifying Jones’ role as the starter.

Jones looked great in the preseason, and perhaps his performance made the decision an easy one for Belichick. He completed 36 of 52 passes — holding a completion percentage of 69 — and threw for 389 yards and a touchdown.

Belichick was careful in not showing his hand all preseason, frequently telling reporters that the Patriots had not yet decided on a starting quarterback until just before the NFL required teams to submit a 53-man roster. He did, however, commend the play of Mac Jones throughout the preseason on Aug. 30.

“He’s put in a ton of work every day,” Belichick said. “I think that has paid off and it’s showed up in the things he’s been able to improve on. If he makes a mistake he learns from it and works hard at it — he works hard in the first place so he doesn’t make mistakes. Maybe he gets it right the first time, which is sometimes hard at that position. His work ethic is very good.”