Pro Bowl voters make decision on Patriots quarterback Mac Jones

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones just earned a very rare honor. He learned that he is the first Patriots rookie to get a Pro Bowl selection since Devin McCourty in 2010. He’s also only the fifth first-year player from New England to get a trip to the Pro Bowl.

The Patriots did reveal that Jones earned a spot because “some of the AFC’s quarterbacks opted out.” Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson were the original selections. Selections are based on votes from players, coaches, and fans.

Mac Jones joins McCourty, Curtis Martin (1995), John Stephens (1988) and Mike Haynes (1976).

Jones finished his rookie season for the Patriots with 4,033 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He led New England to a 10-7 record before losing to the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs.

Jones, former Alabama stars named to 2021 All-Rookie Team

The Pro Football Writers Association announced its regular-season honors for 2021 last week. The PFWA announced this year’s rookie class, which saw five former Alabama players headline.

Alabama led all schools with five former players on the PFWA All-Rookie team with all playing a major role in the 2020 national championship run. Florida, Northwestern, Oregon and Penn State followed behind with two selections each. Other schools represented include North Carolina, LSU, Tennessee, USC, Oklahoma on offense. Michigan, Miami, Missouri, Notre Dame, and TCU are represented on defense and Georgia Tech, Iowa State, UCLA and Iowa joined on special teams.

Mac Jones, Najee Harris and Jaylen Waddle headlined the offense after becoming three of six Alabama players selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Fellow first-round draft pick Patrick Surtain II represented the defense along with second-round pick Christian Barmore.

Among Alabama’s exclusions from the 2021 PFWA All-Rookie team, Heisman Trophy winner and first-round wide receiver DeVonta Smith stands out. Fellow first-round draft pick Alex Leatherwood did not make the list either, along with offensive linemen Landon Dickerson and Deonte Brown who were selected later in the draft. Alabama’s 10th draft selection who did not make the list is long snapper Thomas Fletcher.