The Difference In Mac Jones From Last Year to This Year

By: Steve Atkinson

There is no doubt during this training camp Mac Jones seems more confident, relaxed, and less stressed than he was a year ago this time. Really, Bill O’Brien has made a difference already whether people want to think that or not. According to Mark Daniels of MassLive Jones had a 66-completion percentage last year on 11v11’s. He also threw 8 interceptions through 16 practices. This year he’s thrown only three interceptions on 11v11s and a 77 percent completion percentage. But, somehow Mac Jones having a different attitude now that O’Brien is here is a negative.

Mac Jones Doesn’t Care What Belichick Has To Say About The Offense

The first day of joint practices the offense struggled. The second day of joint practice with the Packers Mac Jones had his best day. You couldn’t say that last season with Patricia, Judge, and Belichick running the show. Who cares that Mac laughed off Belichick yesterday after yelling at the offense telling Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston this.

“We scored on the two-minute drive with a field goal, and then we just wanted to try a situation again,” said Jones. “We just kind of re-did the situation, I guess. That was fun, I guess, but it was my fault.

“I think it was just a miscommunication between all of us. It was fine. It was a good learning experience. It’s too hard to explain in football terms to the media and stuff, but it was kind of a nuance, because we kind of repeated a situation we just did, you know what I’m saying? That’s what we need, though, so both teams can get the situation, try and practice it and then do it again to get it right.”

I say who cares after what Bill Belichick the greatest coach of all time put Patricia and Judge to run the offense why should Jones trust Belichick on anything he says on that side of the ball? Sorry but Jones reports and trusts O’Brien not Belichick. The only thing Belichick is good at is explaining defenses. Other than that, it’s O’Brien’s job to handle Mac and the offense.

Mac Jones Has Mentioned Tom Brady

Also, for the first time since Jones has been a Patriot, he mentioned Tom Brady. He has sidestepped and never spoke his name since being drafted However, he changed his tune, and this is what he said on Wednesday.

“I think Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL,” Jones said. “So to follow (after) 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.” 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.”

Why did it take so long for Jones to mention Brady’s name? Because he realizes that Brady was the mastermind of all the success and Belichick was along for the ride for most of it. Not in the beginning but those three Super Bowls in 2014, 2016, and 2018 was all set on Brady making a big play. The first three Super Bowls were a stud defense and also Brady coming in clutch.

But Mac can see what Belichick is without Brady. 25-26 while Brady took the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl and won in 2020. Bill set Mac back last year so I don’t really get why the talking heads are all bothered by Mac acting out last year and relaxed this year. I don’t blame him for last season. He probably did get some advice from Brady on how to deal with Belichick and hopes to be a better quarterback in 2023.

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