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Is Patriots’ QB Mac Jones going to be another Kirk Cousins?

By Lou Scataglia

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 09: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after scoring a touchdown with teammate Kirk Cousins #8 in the first quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelersat U.S. Bank Stadium on December 09, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 09: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after scoring a touchdown with teammate Kirk Cousins #8 in the first quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelersat U.S. Bank Stadium on December 09, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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Patriots’ QB Mac Jones just finished up his second year in the NFL and has played just OK. Could he just be another Kirk Cousins?  I don’t mean this as a slight to either player, as I think Kirk Cousins is a fine quarterback who has made himself quite a bit of money having a rock solid career.

However, there’s a reason why Kirk Cousins has never made a deep playoff run and likely won’t ever win a Super Bowl.  But there’s also a reason why he’s still an above average starter well into his 30s.

There are unquestionable elite quarterbacks in the NFL who many teams simply don’t have.  These QBs are players you can win Super Bowls with and have a shot a building Hall of Fame level careers.

They’re objectively good have many elite qualities about their game.  Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and others are the best of the best.  Whether it’s their ability on the ground, ridiculous arm talent, or a little bit of everything mixed together, their greatness is obvious.

Then, there are other quarterbacks a couple tiers down who may do one or two things really well and are still plenty good enough to be starters in the NFL.  However, a big issue with some of these players is that they simply might not be good enough to do more than make the playoffs occasionally.

Guys like Derek Carr, Ryan Tannehill, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Kirk Cousins are all in that middle of the road tier.  They’re all over 30 and have had rather lengthy careers as starters, but no one ever feels threatened by these players, right?

The main issue with players in this tier is not only are they likely not good enough to win you a Super Bowl, but the roster around them needs to be quite good, including the coaching, to make their time as a starter somewhat worth it.

For Mac Jones, I think he fits right into this tier, but I happen to think that’s his ceiling as a player.

Is that something that the New England Patriots want to have to deal with for years to come?  What happens if they get someone worthwhile in 2023 at offensive coordinator, but Mac Jones reaches his ceiling, and it’s nothing special?

This presents a big issue for the Patriots.  Do they want to go through putting together the best roster possible seeing as their quarterback likely can’t cover up holes in said roster, or do they want to try and swing big for a quarterback in that elite category who can cover up the weak spots?

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