Mac to Work: Patriots Jones Training with Ex-NFL QB
FOXBORO — New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is wasting no time in preparing for 2023.
While the collective attention of NFL fandom was focused on Super Bowl LVII, Jones has been working former NFL quarterback — turned sports performance coach — Nic Shimonek, to improve his strength and conditioning.
Despite entering the season on the heels of an impressive rookie campaign, Jones struggled to rekindle his previous success in 2022. Ultimately, he finished the season with 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, as the Patriots limped to an 8-9 record. For the second time in three seasons, New England failed to qualify for the playoffs.
According to Shimonek’s recent Instagram post, however, Jones is off to a great start in putting last season’s woes behind him.
This is not Jones’ first attempt at taking the proper steps to improve both physically and mentally. Lat offseason, he not only sought out measures to increase his velocity, but also methods to build upon his accuracy in various spots on the field. Those preparations involved his working with noted quarterback optimization expert Tom House, and adopting a healthier diet and sleep regimen.
Still, the 24-year-old’s results were mixed, at best. Throughout the season, Jones displayed notable discomfort in New England's new offensive system under the direction of offensive play-caller Matt Patricia and quarterback coach Joe Judge. At times, the disconnect between the players and the coaching staff was so overt that Jones was observed hurling expletive-laden frustrations, believed to be in the direction of his coaches.
Much of Jones’ struggles stemmed from difficulty in maintaining his presence in the pocket, often finding himself under duress. With inadequate protection from the team’s offensive line, the Alabama product had insufficient time to operate. Jones also had his share of physical troubles, having missed three games in October due to a severe high ankle sprain. The injury was a contributing factor in his periodic inability to evade aggressive defenders.
Unsurprisingly, he ranked in the bottom 10 of NFL quarterbacks in terms of completion percentage and positive plays when pressured.
As such, working with an ex-quarterback, such as Shimonek, may be exactly what Jones needs. Despite spending time with both the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders in 2018, he is best known for his standout senior season as quarterback at Texas Tech.
In his first year as a collegiate starter in 2017, he led the Red Raiders to the Birmingham Bowl after playing in all 13 games with 12 starts. Shimonek ranked among the most accurate passers in the country, completing 328 passes (66.5 completion percentage) for 3,963 yards and 33 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions. He also rushed 59 times, one of which resulted in a touchdown.
“My time in the NFL was brief, but the impact it made on me was immense,” Shimonek once told Simplifaster. “Being a quarterback at the highest level requires peak physical conditioning and an abundance of trust from your teammates. It’s up to YOU to communicate and lead by example in a way that creates instant buy-in.”
While Shimonek is certainly proficient as a fitness trainer, his ability to understand and translate the mental toughness require for the position is likely to have a profound impact on the Patriots starting quarterback. Though Jones may have laid a solid foundation for building himself as a better quarterback. Shimonek’s influence is expected to remind him that there is always work to be done.
“Don’t put a limit on what you can do or be in this field, or in any field for that matter,” Shimonek said. “I’m constantly trying to learn, grow, and evolve as a coach and as a husband/father, regardless of the success early on in my career. Avoid a complacent mindset! Again, it’s about perspective and putting in the work to get where you want to be.”
To his credit, Jones appears to be getting the message:
“Consistency and RE EARN THE RESPECT thru work!!!! #FEA” - via Mac Jones, Instagram (@macjones_10)
Under the direction of an established offensive coordinator, in Bill O’Brien, and the tutelage of Shimonek, the expectations for Jones will be high in 2023. While it may be a bit early to determine whether these new factors translate to greater success on the field, he is clearly demonstrating the work ethic to be a quarterback at the highest level.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots
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