Chiefs’ best defensive stud has high praise for Mac Jones
By Jerry Trotta
It took 10 weeks, but the NFL is finally starting to take notice of Mac Jones.
Despite being the last quarterback taken (No. 15 overall) in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots‘ rookie has vastly outperformed the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Justin Fields.
At this point, it’s not crazy to say that he’s challenging Ja’Marr Chase for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Yes, the Bengals star is on pace to set records, but Jones is well on his way to leading the Patriots to their first playoff appearance since 2019. As a rookie quarterback. Think about how uncommon that is in today’s NFL.
Despite all that, some talking heads still think Jones is merely a passenger on the Patriots’ trek to get back into the postseason.
We’re not sure why Jones continues to get disrespected — maybe it’s because he plays for one of the most hated teams in the league — but Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu, seemingly out the blue, came to Jones’ defense on Twitter.
Mac Jones wasn’t trendy enough for y’all at first huh now y’all love him…. Man, y’all funny!!! Day in and day out!!! Y’all should be on Comedy Central
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) November 16, 2021
Chiefs star Tyrann Mathieu had high praise for Patriots QB Mac Jones.
That’s a pretty refreshing take on the Alabama product, no? Throughout the pre-draft process, Jones’ stock was knocked because he didn’t project as a dual-threat quarterback like Lawrence, Wilson, Lance and Fields. Teams and scouts were quick to bet on that group’s ceiling and fit in today’s evolving NFL rather than back the gunslinger who was most ready to start and win games from Day 1.
Not every quarterback has to have Lamar Jackson-like athleticism. Not every QB has to be as fast as Kyler Murray in the open field. Not every QB has to be as elusive as Russell Wilson is in the pocket. If you can read a defense, be responsible (and accurate) with the football, you will have success in this league.
In another tweet defending Jones, Mathieu hit the nail right on the head by blasting the standard guys like Patrick Mahomes have set for everyone else.
He don’t throw side arm or run fast so people knocked him….. dude can play QB! Period
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) November 16, 2021
Newsflash, people: there’s only one Pat Mahomes.
Obviously, fit matters, and Jones and the Patriots are a match made in heaven, but it would be insane to hold that against him. The last time we checked, he didn’t hand-pick New England as his new NFL home.
Sure, Jones is more of a blast from the past, but it’s working for him. Shouldn’t that be all that matters? For anyone who still has doubts about the 23-year-old, it’s like Mathieu said, you should probably on Comedy Central.
