Jonathan Jones Picks Patriots Preference: 'Ability to Be Top Quarterback in NFL'
FOXBORO — New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones has plenty of faith in Mac Jones.
Despite the starting quarterback's well-documented struggles in 2022, the 29-year-old defensive back is among those who believe the Alabama product can not only rebound from a poor showing but be among the premier performers at his position in the NFL.
During a Wednesday morning appearance on The Crew Jones made public his feelings on the signal-caller’s ceiling in 2023, and potentially beyond.
"I think Mac has the ability, and I think it starts there," Jones told host Josina Anderson. "I think Mac has the ability to be a good quarterback in this league, and I think what he does with it is between him and the coaches. There's a lot that goes into that. But he has the ability to be a top quarterback in this league."
While the veteran cornerback’s comments seem to be positive on the surface, some may read a bit more into Jones’ choice of using the term “this League,” as opposed to specifically calling out the Patriots as his ideal fit. After all, coach Bill Belichick used similar terminology when asked his opinion on the third-year quarterback.
Still, as the self-righteous indulgently bathe in their semantic interpretation of the words “this league” as opposed to “this team,” a deeper evaluation of Jones’ statement reveals that his comments are, indeed, an endorsement of his quarterback. In fact, his further elaboration is evidence of the fact.
"I would say [Mac’s] a competitor,” Jones said. “He came in every day ready to work. I think for him, being in year two and not having consistency from year one is a lot. That's a lot for a player you asked to come in from college to learn a system and then all his rookie mistakes that he's made, and his growth, you come into his second year and say 'well we're going to learn something all new again. It will be better this year.”
Since joining the Patriots as an undrafted rookie out of Auburn in 2016, Jones has become of the team’s most versatile defensive backs. For his first five seasons in New England, he was considered among the top slot corners in the NFL. Following the departure of ex-alpha cornerback J. C. Jackson via free agency in 2022, Jones made the switch to the perimeter. He compiled 69 total tackles, 11 passes-defensed, four interceptions (one of which went for a touchdown) and three forced fumbles in 16 games. As a result, he has become one of New England’s true leaders-by-example. For these reasons, New England re-signed Jones to a two-year contract in March.
As for the other Jones, several continue to question his future with the organization, despite being only two years removed from being selected No. 15 overall by New England in the 2021 NFL Draft. Though he entered 2022 on the heels of an impressive rookie campaign, Jones struggled to rekindle his previous success. In addition to missing three games due to a high ankle sprain, the 24-year-old was seemingly unable to find comfort under the direction of offensive play caller Matt Patricia and quarterbacks coach Joe Judge. Unsurprisingly, Jones ranked in the bottom 10 of NFL quarterbacks in terms of completion percentage and positive plays when pressured. He ultimately finished the season having competed 288 passes for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
With new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien at the helm, along with added pass catchers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki, the quarterback Jones will look to make the cornerback Jones look pretty accurate in his assessment … without quibbling over semantics.
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