Patriots: Boston icons David Ortiz and Julian Edelman love Mac Jones’ poise

As always, fans in New England have plenty to be excited about these days — in the past, present and future. The Patriots aren’t the talk of the league, necessarily, but rookie QB Mac Jones more than held his own and avoided a worst-case-scenario massacre with the Bucs coming to town.

The reloaded Celtics are 10 times deeper than they were when last NBA season ended, ready to reignite their chase for an additional banner. The Bruins are the Bruins — literally always good.

And the Red Sox are in the postseason and just whomped the Yankees for their eighth playoff win against their chief rivals in nine chances.

Life is endlessly good.

Living in a joyous sports culture such as New England’s gives fans plenty of opportunity to experience some legendary crossover from champions across multiple fields.

Julian Edelman showing up on David Ortiz’s podcast to praise the next generation? Of course that happened! And of course they like what they see from the newest Patriots addition.

Patriots legend Julian Edelman and David Ortiz like what they see from Mac Jones.

As Edelman and Papi recounted on Barstool Sports’ “Call Him Papi” Podcast:

"“That Mac Jones kid, wow, he impressed me,” Ortiz told Edelman.“It was cool to see the lights weren’t too big for him in that particular situation against Tom, because a lot of guys would put their tail in between their legs when that GOAT comes out there,” Edelman told Ortiz. “And you know they got Public Service Announcement, the song by Jay-Z, blasting when Tom runs out there with his little fist pump. He’s getting a standing O, the guy’s been there for 20 years. That’s his home.“A lot of young guys would have been too scared for that moment, and to see how Mac Jones — there was a few plays where I was really impressed with how he handled those circumstances with how everything wasn’t perfect, but he’s got a poise about him which was impressive.”"

It’s hard to imagine brighter lights for a young quarterback in Boston — well, except 2001, when Brady himself piloted the Patriots all the way to an extremely unexpected Super Bowl upset over the Rams (and a playoff upset over the Raiders).

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1444874195398180865?s=20

If Jones rights the ship and takes this team to the postseason, he’ll probably remember the night that a slippery ball threw the great TB12 way off course, while he remained calm and collected in executing his offense — and earned praise for doing it from Ortiz and Edelman, two of the greatest pressure players in Boston sports history.

After all, once you’ve gone toe-to-toe with Brady in a monsoon, the Titans on the road ain’t nothin’.

Patriots: Mac Jones commenting on lack of downfield throws is encouraging

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones claimed that he had chances to go deep, but he hasn't been as proactive in taking those chances as he needs to be.