The New England Patriots as a team are entering the 2022 NFL season with low expectations, but there are high expectations for their quarterback as Mac Jones enters Year 2 “more confident” and “feeling healthier and better.”
Speaking of healthy, Jones has showed off his dedication to eating better in the form of a new physique and training method that has the Patriots young quarterback looking like a man on a mission.
As cutting back on ice cream has been a part of his improved diet, Jones appeared at Hood Park in Charlestown, Mass this past Friday to give out free samples of his limited-edition “Mac Attack” ice cream flavor. In doing so, he also took some time to speak to Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston, who started off by asking Jones about his new physique and how he feels entering Year 2.
"“I think it’s important to assess everything and that was one of the things I wanted to improve,” Jones told Perry. “I made significant strides in that area, fixing my body and feeling comfortable and feeling healthier and better. But at the end of the day, you’re still a human and you want to eat what you want to eat, but you have to be disciplined as best you can. Hood ice cream is one way to do it, so that’s what I do for my late-night dessert.”"
Mac Jones looking to make significant strides with New England Patriots in 2022
It’s the “significant strides” part that should have Patriots fans excited about the upcoming season. Coming off a successful rookie season in which he completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, there is still doubt about his ability to be a top-notch quarterback in the NFL.
As critics will happily point out, much of the Mac attack in 2021 was short, intermediate passes in a controlled offense that kept him limited when it came to pushing the ball down field. Now Jones did prove he could do so at times, but both Bill Belichick and former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels kept a leash on him for the most part. That was a smart approach for a rookie quarterback.
This upcoming season, there should be more opportunity for Jones to be more of the quarterback he was at Alabama. While he’s not expected or even predicted to be a top 10 quarterback, there are three reasons why Mac Jones and the New England Patriots will be a surprise in 2022.
There are question marks on both offense and defense, but success in the NFL starts with the coach and quarterback.
3. Mac Jones committed to taking his game to the next level
Let’s start with how Mac Jones isn’t satisfied with his rookie success.
After putting up the numbers that he did with limited weapons around him, Jones knows he had some things to work on beyond getting in better shape. There were some plays he did leave out there on the field and he made mistakes that rookies are expected to make.
What made Jones stand out as a rookie was his maturity during those times. He used those mistakes as teaching moments that will make him a more prepared and experienced quarterback entering his second season in the NFL.
But, without McDaniels or any competent offensive coordinator, there is a chance Jones can take a step back. There is also an opportunity for Mac Jones to really take control of the New England Patriots offense. With a good, solid running back group, one of the top tight end tandems in the league and an underrated wide receiver group, Jones will have a more versatile group of skill players around him.
That should make him even better in 2022. But it is really his approach that shows he’s a player who has bought in to the Bill Belichick way of taking each game, week, each season as a blank slate. Coming off a Pro Bowl season, Jones is committed to taking his game to the next level. He pretty much has to in order for the New England Patriots to have success this upcoming season.
"“It all goes back into just trying to be a better player and person. That was my goal this offseason,” Jones told Perry. “I feel better, I feel confident, and that’s what’s important. I’m just gonna try and go in there and do my thing and lead everybody and help us come together as a unit. That’s kind of what it’s all about, and the offseason’s a great time to sit back and relax a little bit but also try and make strides in where you want to make strides, so I feel like I’ve done that.”"
Although Mac Jones was more mobile than some would think, his toned-down body should improve his pocket presence and ability to make some things happen with his feet as well. He doesn’t need to be Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes in that aspect, but an ability to extend plays and keep defenses honest is an element of his game that will be even better in Year 2.
2. Mac Jones will have better playmakers around him
Mac Jones was limited in the playmakers around him in 2022.
Despite Kendrick Bourne having a career year and Jakobi Meyers proving to be a solid receiver, Jones didn’t have that dynamic playmaker who could bail him out or even go up and get balls.
He was supposed to have that in tight end Jonnu Smith, but a lackluster first season in New England led to a lack of confidence and chemistry in the talented tight end.
That could and should change in 2022. Not only is Smith committed to being a bigger presence in the offense, but the Patriots also have a wide receiver group in Bourne, Meyers, Nelson Agholor, DeVante Parker and 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton who might surprise some folks as a unit.
Along with the receivers, there is Smith and Hunter Henry at tight who despite Smith’s disappointing season in 2021 are still considered a top tight end duo in the league.
If Jones can form chemistry with his playmakers and help make them better, they will make him even better as a leader. The Patriots ‘offense will also have a group of running backs who can catch the ball out of the backfield. Again, that should help Jones in his decision making moving forward.
But it all starts with chemistry and that is what Mac Jones has also focused on this offseason by getting together with his playmakers building relationships.
"“I think it’s important to be with your teammates and build that relationship and build the camaraderie for your team,” Jones said in the interview with Phil Perry. “We have a great group of guys. They’re all good dudes and we’re just excited to get back to work. We’ve put in a lot of work and now it’s time to go, so we’re really excited for the season.”"
In all, the Patriots don’t have the type of explosive players that strike fear into opposing defenses, but as a collective, they are an underrated group who can be elevated by Jones. There’s a very good chance he can improve statistically in 2022.
1. The team is more confident in Mac Jones
The top reason Mac Jones will be a top 10 quarterback in 2022 is his leadership and his teammate’s confidence in him.
They say a team follows the lead of their quarterback and the fact Jones has shown a commitment to his body and forming that chemistry with his teammates is enough to motivate his teammates.
Want your voice heard? Join the Chowder And Champions team!
Throughout the offseason, players have praised the hard work of Jones, including the center of his offensive line. During an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand” earlier this summer, New England Patriots offensive lineman David Andrews praised Jones and how he approaches the game.
"“The kid’s a hard worker,” Andrews said, as transcribed by The Boston Herald. “He works his butt off, day in and day out. Sometimes I just try to get him to take a deep breath. But that’s what you want out of your quarterback. “He works really hard. He’s a tough kid. It’s been fun for me the last year, year and a half, to get to know him. I’ve got a lot of respect for how he does things and how he carries himself.”"
Mac Jones has a long way to go before he rivals the type of influence a player like Tom Brady had on the team and organization, but he is doing all the things necessary to be that type of quarterback. Talent alone doesn’t make a top 10 quarterback in the NFL. Brady has proved that for over 20-something years. It’s the cerebral game, the chemistry with players and the dedication to getting better and better that makes a top 10 quarterback.
It may be a bold prediction, but Jones will be that player by the middle to end of the season. With more weapons, that mix of decision-making and precision will turn heads and make 2022 a better season for the New England Patriots than some may think or predict.