QB Index, Week 3: Patriots QB Mac Jones drops due to lack of big plays

After an impressive debut, New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones didn’t do anything to deter excitement amongst fans.  In a Week 2 victory against the New York Jets, Jones continued his passing efficiency, but threw for under 200 yards, which caused him to fall in NFL.com’s Week 3 NFL QB index.

While the hype is still surrounding Jones, he hasn’t done much to impress his early critics.  In other words, the training wheels are still on the Patriots rookie who has yet to really display any eye-popping throws down the field like No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, who happens to come in last in the QB index.

New England Patriots QB Mac Jones limiting the mistakes by keeping it simple

And unlike another top quarterback rookie, Zach Wilson, Jones has not made the same type of mistakes, like throw 4 interceptions in a game.  But toss them to the wolves and let them learn seems to be the approach with the top quarterbacks.

The Patriots, on the other hand, are allowing their rookie an opportunity to learn the game before unleashing him.  If that sinks him further in the QB rankings, the Patriots will take it as long as he grows, and the team wins in the process.

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal highlights that but also faults Mac Jones for checking down when big plays are there:

"“Those canny Patriots, always zigging when the rest of the league is zagging, have time-traveled to 2001 to run a slow, conservative offense with their young quarterback. Better pass protection would help, because Jones missed a number of potential big plays against the Jets in an effort to check the ball down before defenders arrived.”"

In dropping 3 spots to No. 24, the Patriots young quarterback obviously has room for improvement, but the big reason for that leap backwards in the index is the huge rise of three quarterbacks who had big days in Week 2.  Those QBs are Teddy Bridgewater of the Denver Broncos who rose 5 spots to No. 15, New York Giants QB Daniel Jones rose 8 spots to No. 16 even in a loss and Tyrod Taylor rose 10 spots to No. 17 in a loss.

So, what it comes down to is slinging the football down field.  Until Jones showcases, he can do that, he may not rise in this index ranking even if the team is winning.  As Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels revealed that he is not holding back the rookie, Jones admitted he does wish he threw the ball down field more, but he will continue to take what the defense gives him.

"“I think it’s offense, you have control of that situation,” Jones said during his press conference on Wednesday.  “Defense, you’re reacting to everything, and I’ve never played. Actually, I have played defense. I played cornerback like when I was in Little League, but you’re reacting to what someone’s doing. Not all the time you know what they’re doing, so I think that’s part of it is just, we have to figure out what we’re doing first and then react to what they’re doing, and they also have to react, so it kind of just all goes hand in hand, and you can’t over complicate it, and I think there’s definitely times when I watch the film and I wish I threw the ball down the field more, but at the same time, I’m just going to continue to do what I do and take what they give me.”"

That may sound boring, but Jones is showing his maturity as a young quarterback in the NFL.  He won’t take huge risks just to he can take big shots.  He also has some weapons in tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry as well as wide receivers like Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers who are capable of big plays, but most of those players are still learning the offense.

Another factor in Jones checking down has been the inept play of the offensive line.  The injury to Trent Brown has really hurt as the New England Patriots quarterback hasn’t had much time to let plays develop.  Once that stabilizes, the offense will start to stretch the field more.

As for now, the team and the quarterback are going to play it safe, which was the same approach that led to the development of Tom Brady, the No. 1 quarterback in the Week 3 NFL QB index.