NFL World Reacts To Mac Jones’ Performance This Week

Mac Jones is getting all of the first-team reps for the New England Patriots this week in the absence of Cam Newton. And by all accounts, he’s dominating.

In today’s joint practice against the New York Giants, Jones connected on his first 21 of 23 passes, scoring two touchdowns in the process. He was so good that even his gruff head coach Bill Belichick couldn’t help but give him a low-five afterwards.

Mac Jones will presumably get the bulk of reps for Friday’s preseason game against the Giants. If he performs against them like he did today, he’ll give Belichick a hard decision to make at quarterback.

And if Bill Belichick is excited, you know the fans are, too. Analysts and fans alike are taking to Twitter, gushing over how well Jones performed today:

Mac Jones giving Bill Belichick something to think about today as it relates to starting QB. Jones took a TON of reps, and he was on his game, capping things off with successful 2-minute long TD drive. He got a low-5 from Belichick after that one.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 25, 2021

Mac Jones was a surgical 35 of 40 against the Giants defense in practice, including a stretch of 18 consecutive completions. Jones hit Jakobi Meyers for a 50-yard TD against double coverage in the final two-minute period. With temps approaching 90 degrees, it was an intense day.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 25, 2021

I see you @MacJones_10 . I. See. You. 👀

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) August 25, 2021

Today vs the Giants:

11v11s
Mac Jones: 21/26

7v7s
Mac Jones: 13/14

Overall:
Mac Jones: 34/40 (85%)

Jones was the best QB on the field today and it wasn’t close. This was his best practice and simply put, looks like an NFL starting quarterback.

— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 25, 2021

Cam Newton was announced as the starting quarterback at the beginning of training camp. But his absence is opening the door for Mac Jones to take it from him.

Jones was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was the first quarterback the Patriots took in the first round since Drew Bledsoe nearly 30 years ago.

The Patriots no doubt plan to develop Jones to be their quarterback of the future. But the original plan didn’t appear for him to be the starter in 2021.

With how good he’s been this week though, Bill Belichick may need to revisit that plan before the Week 1 opener.

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