For the second consecutive offseason, the New England Patriots are set on having an open quarterback competition at training camp.
While last year’s battle between Cam Newton and 2019 fourth-rounder Jarrett Stidham didn’t have much juice — it was always expected Newton would win — this year has a much different feel after the Patriots used the No. 15 overall pick on Mac Jones.
Jones has been all the rage since the draft, impressing during OTAs and being the first player on the field for practice during minicamp.
This dedication fits right into the “Patriot Way,” and you better believe the coaching staff has taken note of it.
Like any rookie, however, Jones has flaws that will be exposed during training camp, ones that could potentially decide who wins the starting job. With that in mind, what exactly does Jones need to show if he stands a chance at supplanting Newton for the gig of a lifetime?
What does Mac Jones have to do to win the starting job?
3. Show Command of the Offense
Jones has received nothing but rave reviews from his teammates and coaching staff, suggesting he isn’t having a problem winning them over since the draft.
That’s great news. However, where quarterbacks really make their presence felt and start developing the respect and admiration of their teammates is during the pre-snap huddle and having a full understanding of the playbook. Translation: Jones must be confident.
Mac Jones’ confidence could be a turning point at training camp.
Walking into the most decorated franchise in the NFL can be a lot to handle for a rookie quarterback, even one that hails from Alabama’s prestigious program. If Jones doesn’t exude confidence and shows any form of apprehension, he’ll be doomed.
After all, this is where Newton thrives. For all his flaws as a passer, good luck finding a better motivator and leader at the quarterback position. The 32-year-old star has all the intangibles required to be a franchise QB and Jones can learn a thing or two from him.
From taking ownership of your mistakes or picking up teammates after a dropped pass, Newton passes all the leadership tests both on and off the field. If he runs circles around Jones in this regard during training camp, the No. 15 overall pick can kiss his chances of winning the starting job goodbye.
2. Throwing on the Run
If there’s one thing that separated Jones from the other highly-touted QB prospects in his class, it’s his lack of ability to make plays outside the pocket.
If you watch film on Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance or Justin Fields in college, their athleticism is so obvious that you’d think they prefer making throws on the run.
Mac Jones’ athleticism could prove crucial in the Patriots’ QB competition.
Jones is a different story, as he’s more of your old-school pocket quarterback, a category that features guys like Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Jared Goff and Jimmy Garoppolo. All those signal callers have been to a Super Bowl (some more than others), so there’s no reason to think Jones can’t flourish at the professional level with limited mobility.
However, the first-round selection will only be harder to game plan against if he adds this dimension to his game. While we aren’t asking Jones to transform his entire style of play, establishing an ability to throw on the run will help him beat out Newton.
It might be tough for Jones to improve this in one offseason when he’s already tasked with learning the Patriots’ playbook, but even small steps would make all the difference.
1. Improve Pocket Poise
This might come as a shock to Patriots fans, but Jones’ pocket presence is both a positive and negative at this stage of his career. In a clean pocket, the former Alabama star showcases exemplary footwork to elude pressure and deliver the ball to his receivers.
When the pocket starts collapsing however, that’s when Jones’ deficiencies come to light, as he starts getting flustered and forces ill-advised throws into tight windows.
Mac Jones needs to learn how to adapt in a collapsing pocket.
That isn’t odd for gunslingers who’ve started just one year in college, and it bodes well for the rookie that some multi-year starters in the NFL still haven’t cracked those habits. After all, with proper coaching and his work ethic, Jones will exercise those demons in no time.
Whether that happens in time for the 22-year-old to supplant Newton as the de facto starter during training camp remains to be seen, but assuming he’s put in the work since being drafted, we have no reason to believe he hasn’t already made strides in this department.
Jones has strong footwork and mechanics, so he has the necessary foundation to enhance his pocket awareness. It’ll improve with more experience, but for now slowing the game down could prove to be the determining factor in New England’s QB competition.
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