Patriots news & rumors: Mac Jones more than cheesy; Kenny Stills option
If you think Cam Newton’s injury puts New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones in the driver seat as the team’s starter, think again.
With Jarrett Stidham and veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer in the mix, the rookie is preparing for an intense quarterback battle that won’t just involve Cam. As nothing comes easy with a coach like Bill Belichick, Jones understands he has to continue to work hard in his own progress, but also work with the other players in the quarterback room.
"“I’m the rookie so I’m just learning from them. We’re all in this together. There’s competition but people want to have a misconstrued word there like it is a bad competition or unhealthy,” Jones said, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “We’re all close. We’re all going to get better together. That’s what we’re going to do.”"
In all, much of the pressure is really on Cam Newton, who has much to prove to the team and the entire league that he is still capable of being a top quarterback in the league. Though a hand injury has set him back, Newton is playing his role as both a mentor and a great teammate even to the young quarterback who poses the greatest threat to his starting role.
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Patriots rookie getting good mentorship from Cam Newton
In talking about Newton, Mac Jones not only revealed he was given the nickname “Mac and Cheese,” but also revealed Cam as a good mentor to him during OTAs. That is exactly what Belichick and the Patriots want and need in hopes of Jones becoming the next guy.
How soon he becomes the next guy really depends on him and how well he picks up the system. So far, his OTAs have been a rollercoaster, which has to be expected of a rookie. But it’s only June and Mac Jones already understands his growth in the NFL will depend on how well he learns from mistakes.
"“It’s not going to be perfect every day. It’s hard when you’re competitive and you want it to be really good every day. It’s not going to be like that at first. Eventually you get it and things start rolling your way,” Jones said. “I think it just goes back to following my rules and there’s a lot going on in my brain. You’re just trying to see everything. Sometimes you see too much or whatever. And then you see nothing. So I have to figure out, in this offense, how I can do that – how I can break down the plays, what’s my job, what do I have to do on this specific play, and then slot the plays individually.”"
In all, Mac Jones has the tools to force Bill Belichick’s hand if he puts it all together quicker than expected. By quicker, I mean over the summer and through training camp. It may sound cheesy, but the Mac attack could give Cam Newton a run for his money.
NFL rumors: New England Patriots should take a flyer on Kenny Stills
After missing out on the Julio Jones sweepstakes, as if they even ever entered it, the New England Patriots still have one glaring weakness to address on the offensive side of the ball.
That weakness is one that has been there over the last few seasons. With Julian Edelman announcing his retirement earlier in the spring, it’s a more dire need even with the tight end duo of Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry expected to be prime pass catchers this upcoming season.
There are a few names still out there in free agency the team can take a flyer on. One of those names is Kenny Stills who have torched the Patriots in the past.
In fact, whenever he has become available via either trade or free agency, he has been linked to the Patriots and now may be the time to finally bring the player in.
Stills, 29, is coming off his worst season as far as production goes.
Before his release from the Houston Texans, he had just 11 receptions on 19 targets in 10 games played. While 144 total receiving yards won’t wow anyone, Stills is one of those players who could bounce back in New England if put in the right situation.
He is far from a No. 1 receiver, but adding him to the mix of N’Keal Harry, Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne would give Cam Newton, Mac Jones or whoever starts the season as quarterback for the Patriots a solid group of pass catchers aside from Henry and Smith.
We all know Bill Belichick like low-risk, high-reward signings. Kenny Stills could be such a player.