Patriots: Jonnu Smith’s nickname for swaggy Mac Jones is amazing

The New England Patriots’ QB of the future has a similar vibe to the two-decade star who just left … but with a bit more swagger peppered in.

Alright, the Tom Brady comparisons to Mac Jones are obviously premature. We’re only kidding.

Jones is much more interesting.

Don’t believe us? Take it from his brand-new teammates. Tight end Jonnu Smith, who’s going to be a big part of the Patriots’ bullish aerial attack this year, noted at camp on Wednesday that he’s seen much more of an aura of confidence around Jones than he expected.

We have to say, though, we’re not surprised. From starring at Alabama to a runaway National Championship to strutting through the draft like he was Vince McMahon, Jones has every reason to be confident in his abilities.

Smith has gifted him with a nickname commensurate with that swagger, and if it’s alright with everyone, we’re going to use it from hereon out.

Patriots rookie QB Mac Jones is now “Macksonville”.

“Return of the Mac” walked so “Macksonville” could run. No further questions.

Except we actually do have further questions, so we’re going to ask them into the void, hoping someone sees this. Does Mac Jones’ specific brand of swagger actually evoke Jacksonville? Follow-up question: what is Jacksonville? It makes us think about basting your shirtless body outside in a kiddie pool while tailgating for mediocre football. Are we way off?

Until we learn more, we’re going to assume that Jones has entered camp with the requisite swagger of a Floridian: he knows what to do, and don’t tell him otherwise. Maybe we’ve gotten ourselves a Gardner Minshew-type gunslinger?

Obviously, there’s not a lot to glean from the first week of training camp, but Jones has gotten a good amount of applause from the gathered crowd — and obviously has earned the respect of his teammates.

It doesn’t … seem like it’ll be long now before a change is made under center. Of course, Week 1 feels like a shoo-in Cam Newton start, and we hope the veteran will have a less-interrupted Year 2 under Bill Belichick. But … by midseason …?

We didn’t anticipate a swagger battle starting so early, but it seems like we’d better man our battle stations.

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