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Likelihood of a year two decline for Patriots’ QB Mac Jones?

By Lou Scataglia

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 14: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots reacts before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 14: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots reacts before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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With Josh McDaniels out of the picture, what is the likelihood that we actually see a decline from Mac Jones in the 2022 season?

Mac Jones was the best rookie quarterback in 2021 by a mile.  He’s clearly established himself as a quality passer and the NFL at large seems to be eyeing him for a potential breakout campaign in the 2022 NFL season.

However, while a year two jump is likely, is it possible that we could actually see a limited jump, or even a small decline from Jones in 2022?

The biggest reason this may happen is twofold, in my opinion.

The first one could be because of inconsistent offensive coaching.  It doesn’t appear to be clear who is going to call the plays for the team in 2022, after Josh McDaniels served in the offensive coordinator role for years before.

Now that McDaniels is in Las Vegas with the Raiders, the team is left to find a new signal caller for 2022 and beyond.

While the Patriots are going to run the same offense, not having McDaniels on the sideline could be bad news for Mac Jones.  Given that Jones has incredible work ethic, and appears to be an excellent ambassador of the “Patriot Way,” I do think it’s not likely that Jones doesn’t breakout in 2022.

However, if the offense does endure some rough patches, talk might begin about the reasoning for such struggles, likely pointing to not having McDaniels on the sidelines.

The second reason that Mac Jones might not be able to take as big of a leap as we think is perhaps because his skill players don’t present the upside that is desireable.

Take a minute and look across the NFL at all the best quarterbacks in the league.  Aside from a couple, they all have one of many things in common, and that’s very good or even elite pass catchers.

Derek Carr has Davante Adams, Josh Allen has Stefon Diggs, Matthew Stafford has Cooper Kupp, Kyler Murray has DeAndre Hopkins, Dak Prescott has CeeDee Lamb, Russell Wilson has Courtland Sutton.

Mac Jones has…. DeVante Parker?  Kendrick Bourne?  Jakobi Meyers?

While those three pass catchers are quality, they’re not the type of quality that many other quarterbacks have.  Perhaps Mac Jones’ year two isn’t as special as we think because of the lack of top end talent that the skill players have.  It’s largely a solid group, but really is nothing special.

Fortunately, I think Mac Jones is in a very ideal situation where he will enjoy a massive year two for the Patriots.

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