Mac Jones offers words of wisdom for Jordan Love
Mac Jones and Jordan Love both entered the NFL facing the daunting task of replacing a future Hall of Fame quarterback.
For Jones, living up to the lofty standards set by seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady hasn’t been easy. Love will do the same in 2023 as he prepares for his first season as QB1 for the Green Bay Packers after the departure of Aaron Rodgers.
Ahead of the preseason meeting between the Packers and New England Patriots, Jones offered some advice to the former fellow first-round pick.
“I think Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL,” Jones said, via Chris Mason of MassLive.com. “So to follow him, it’s just trying to chase the standard that he set every day. Honestly, we’re definitely two different players. That’s the only advice I’d have: Just continue to grow and be yourself, right? That’s all you can do. Put your best foot forward and compete. But yeah, it’s definitely big shoes to fill.”
As for Jones, escaping Brady’s shadow continues to be a process.
“I got drafted like three years ago. So it’s just trying to move on from that part of it,” Jones said. “And understanding how you can set the standard that he had already set, you know? For us it’s just, every year is a new year. You’ve gotta go out and earn it. He did that every year. And I’m going to continue to do that as well.”
Jordan Love entering crucial first season as QB1 in Green Bay
Like Jones, Love is entering a season of great importance as he looks to become the quarterback of both the present and the future in Green Bay. The start of his 2023 campaign came in the preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals this past Friday, in which he completed 7-of-10 passes for 46 yards and a score.
Head coach Matt LaFleur called Love’s performance “solid.”
“Obviously, he would love to have the one throw back to [tight end Luke] Musgrave over the middle in that third down,” LaFleur said. “But, I think, there’s a lot to learn from and a lot of good came out of it. I thought, just the poise he showed, the command he showed… Thought we were getting in and out of the huddle quickly. [And] I thought it was a really good first exposure for him for this season.”