The New England Patriots have drafted their quarterback of the future. With the no. 15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Mac Jones out of Alabama.
The decision was mostly met with positivity from fans and media. Here’s a sample of the Twitter reaction. ESPN’s Adam Schefter offers info that demonstrates Bill Belichick’s connection to Alabama players.
Mac Jones becomes the 11th player Bill Belichick has drafted that played under Nick Saban in college, extending the record for the most players taken by a pro-college coach combo in the Common Draft era.
NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport outlines the Iron-Bowl-themed QB competition that is now in play between Bama’s Jones and Auburn’s Cam Newton.
Former Patriots front office personnel member Scott Pioli congratulated Jones and applauded Belichick’s “patience.”
Congratulations Mac Jones. Terrific pick for the @Patriots . Patience is very important and a very underrated part of the game & draft. Bill B followed a very important draft concept “let the draft come to you” #2021NFLDraft #nfl
WEEI’s Ryan Hannable had the quintessential Jones quote after he was drafted.
Mac Jones on NFL Network: I can’t wait to play for the greatest franchise in NFL history.
CBS Sports’ Pete Blackburn playfully likens Jones’ gape to that of his “father,” Belichick.
Mac Jones on NFL Network: I can’t wait to play for the greatest franchise in NFL history.
Former kicker and current podcast host Pat McAfee marvels at Belichick’s ability to get his man without trading up.
Bill Belichick doesn’t have to trade up & still gets his 1st round QB with Mac Jones #DraftSpectacular
Not everyone thinks highly of the Jones pick.
Critics Sound Off on Patriots’ Pick of Jones
FOX Sports’ Skip Bayless gave his take on what he described as a “mistake” pick. Bayless took shots at Jones’ release, arm strength and poise.
Bill Belichick, who has been anything but a genius when it comes to drafting, just made a mistake taking Mac Jones. He’s certainly no Brady. Slower release. Below-average arm. Can get a little panicky. Good luck, Coach Subway. Brady is on his way to winning a 2nd SBowl in Tompa.
EA Sports’ Andre Weingarten was clearly underwhelmed by the Jones pick as well.
No one has a 100% approval rate, and Jones will have some doubters as well as supporters.
Who Starts in Week 1, Newton or Jones?
The big question at this point is who will be the Patriots’ Week 1 starter in 2021. Newton would appear to be the man earmarked for the QB1 spot, but there are a ton of fans who are already calling for Jones to be the starter.
We posted a graphic acknowledging the Jones pick, and one fan said: “Not happy that Cam will still start but very pleased with Mac Jones!!”
Another commenter responded to that post with: “if Mac shows he better then Cam during training camp then Mac will start.”
Jones was considered to be the most pro-ready quarterback in the NFL Draft, so theoretically, if there is a rookie–beyond the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence–who most experts see as a kid who can start in Week 1 it would be Jones.
That said, it would seem to be more of the Patriots’ style to lean on Newton in 2021. He’s had an entire year in the system, his teammates love him, and the coaches also seem to be fond of the 2015 NFL MVP as well.
That said, Newton didn’t have his strongest season in 2020. His struggles are the reason he was only brought back on a one-year deal, and also the fuel behind the media and fans’ desire to see the team draft, trade or sign another option at the position.
Jarrett Stidham is another quarterback under contract for the Patriots as well. He figured to be Newton’s backup, as he was most of 2020. With Jones now in the mix, there are some serious questions about his future with the team. The Patriots could carry three quarterbacks this season–as they did last year with Newton, Stidham and Brian Hoyer, but they also have practice-squader Jake Dolegala.
Expect some roster moves over the next month or so, but as of now, all the attention is on Jones.
Also Read:
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- Bold Cam Newton Trade Proposal Brings Jimmy Garoppolo Back to New England
- Wild Trade Proposal Lands Patriots Another Elite TE
- ‘One of the Worst’ Patriots’ Draft Picks Labeled Major Trade Target
- Belichick ‘Would Love to Coach Trey Lance’ But Not the Best Fit: Report
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Twitter Explodes After Patriots Take Mac Jones With 15th Pick