Patriots: Drew Brees’ high praise for Mac Jones speaks volumes

The New England Patriots will start off a new era on Sunday, as Mac Jones taking over under center means they’ve officially identified Tom Brady’s successor.

As we know, Cam Newton, who was surprisingly released leading up to the 53-man deadline, was merely a stopgap option to bide Bill Belichick and Co. enough time to find their long-term answer at quarterback.

Though it’s extremely early into Jones’ career, Patriots fans would be hard-pressed to deny that he looks like the answer.

After all, countless analysts and former NFL quarterbacks have already endorsed Jones as a franchise quarterback.

Drew Brees belongs on that list, and the former Saints star doubled down on his faith in Jones during a conference call with NBC Sports over the weekend.

Another day, another public supporter with pedigree as one of the greatest QBs of all time. Feels good, folks.

Drew Brees had high praise for Patriots QB Mac Jones

Get a load of this quote, Patriots fans.

"“So as I was watching the draft, the minute the Patriots took Mac Jones at 15th, I said, that’s the steal of the draft,” said Brees. “It’s probably the guy who is most ready to play NFL quarterback right now, of all the guys who were taken before. His level of execution last year at Alabama, and I know we can sit here and argue he’s got the best players on the field on his side, on both sides of the ball, but in watching the National Championship game, that’s where it became very evident to me.”“This guy’s level of execution, his understanding of offensive football, his timing, his rhythm, his ability not only to make the routine throws, but to make throws that you’re going to need to make at the next level in order to win games and take care of the football the way he did, I felt like he was the most NFL ready.”"

Do we even need to say anything else? A future first-ballot Hall of Famer, Brees can identify quarterback talent as well as any former signal caller in the broadcasting and analyst industry. The fact he’s THIS confident in Jones speaks volumes and indicates the Patriots rookie is destined to enjoy success in New England.

It came in at the end there, but Brees also called Jones the “most NFL ready” gunslinger in his rookie class. Yes, that includes generational talent (as numerous scouts called him after his first game at Clemson) and No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence.

It obviously helps that Jones is paired with Belichick, but Brees’ praise clearly has more to do with the Alabama product’s individual talent and unexpected maturity than having the right infrastructure around him.

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“Luckily” for Brees, he’ll get the chance to watch Jones go up against his former team when the Saints travel to New England in Week 3.

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