Is Mac Jones Ahead Of The Curve OR Was His Floor Higher Than Orginally Believed?

Between 2000 and 2001 Tom Brady played in 16 games, starting 14. Now there may have been circumstances that led to a 6th round pick starting for the Patriots in 2001 but it happened. Now ask anyone and they will tell you a first round selection should perform better than a six round selection. Charlie Weiss and others have said that "Mac Jones is ahead of where Tom Brady was at this stage of his career." Duh, if he was where Brady was or worse, we'd be rioting in Patriots nation.

So let's see how Brady looked statistically in his first sixteen games. And I said sixteen which means no playoff stats.

Brady completed 265 passes of 416 attempts. He threw for 2839 yards with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. 145 times he threw for a first down. He was sacked 41 times and led the Patriots to 3 fourth quarter comebacks. He had 36 carries for 43 yards with 7 first downs. He also had 1 catch for 23 yards and a 1st down.

Before I give Mac's stats to compare, I wish they had comeback attempts. I don't remember every game for Brady but Mac Jones got the Patriots in position to take the lead on a field goal in week four. That's not going to show up. And that's just one example. Also Mac played 17 games, so I am going to share his rookie season stats.

Mac completed 352 of 521 passes for 3801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. 177 throws went for a first down. He was sacked 28 times and had 1 fourth quarter comeback. In Mac's seventh game, he threw 1 touchdown and 1 interception. So strictly passing Mac had the better passing stats. On the ground Mac ran it 44 times for 129 yards with 22 first downs.

And according to pro football reference Brady fumbled it 12 times in his first sixteen games. Mac's rookie season he only fumbled 7 times.

Now like Brady, Mac Jones is still developing and he's also working with a throwing coach to add arm strength, just like Brady did.

Jay Williams called Mac Jones a "Mid tier franchise quarterback," and said he was in the right situation to succeed.

Keyshawn Johnson said Mac's rookie season had no expectations. He said "in year two I need you to do a little bit more for me and in the third year I need you to be a pro bowl type quarterback..."

Max Kellerman said "Mac Jones is ahead of the curve, first year he's where you might want a guy to be in his second year." 

Kellerman was basing his statement as a continuation to what Johnson said.

Few weeks ago there was another media personality who defended Mac Jones as well. Greg Jennings praised Mac Jones intelligence. He also said that Mac could lead a team in the closing minutes to victory but that we "want Mac to be Tom Brady in Tom Brady moments."

Now Jennings, Johnson, and Kellerman all pretty much agree that Mac is in the same development path as Brady. However, I believe it was Kellerman who said that Brady's development plan was "perfect."

Now Prior to the draft I came to the same conclusion that Charlie Weiss and June Jones did. That Mac Jones was the best passer in the draft. My blog is still on here if you wanna check. I stood bye and stand bye my statement. Sure Mac couldn't throw with power down field but he's developing that now. Mac may never be the guy he succeeded on the ground but the Patriots don't need Mac to be Cam Newton with his legs because he has the ability to beat people with his head instead. 

So how does Mac improve in 2022? He cleans up his game. He makes better decisions. And puts a few more touchdowns on the board. All while managing the game and doing what's asked of him by the Patriots. As fans that's all we can ask for. Statistically we'd like to see Mac improve on his stats from 2021 but he doesn't need to if the Patriots offense improves. He just needs to play smarter and trust the game plan to do the rest.