Alabama reunion on tap: Mac Jones, Patriots meet Tua Tagovailoa’s Dolphins in Week 1

There will be a mini Alabama reunion on tap in Week 1 when Mac Jones and the New England Patriots meet Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle and the Miami Dolphins to start the year.

Mac Jones might not be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to the quarterback position. He is however a perfect fit for what Bill Belichick is trying to run with the New England Patriots.

That’s what feels like the true heir to Tom Brady, Belichick won’t wash the former Alabama starter into a position where he’s destined to fail. If Jones does show that he is the strongest quarterback in the room before the start of the season, it’ll be hard not to name him the starter for the 2021 season opener?

The opponent Week 1? Former Alabama superstar Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins. He’ll also see his former receiver, Jaylen Waddle, who was the Dolphins’ first of two first-round picks in the NFL Draft.

Mac Jones vs. Tua Tagovailoa: The Alabama battle in the AFC East

Before Joanne set records in Tuscaloosa, Tagovailoa what is the golden boy of the program. The two-year starter threw for 7,442 yards and 87 touchdowns while resetting the NCAA record book with passing yards per attempt (10.9), adjusted passing yards per attempt (12.7), passing efficiency rating (199.4), and total yards per play (9.8).

It wasn’t a given Jones was even going to be the starter when the season rolled around with the presence of freshman phenom Bryce Young on campus. Instead of being the “game-manager” type, the Jacksonville native balled out for the Crimson Tide, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns against five interceptions and a record-breaking passer rating of 203.1 en route to a perfect season that ended with a national championship.

Both Jones and Tagovailoa are hopeful they can show they are the future of their separate franchises. If the No. 15 pick can beat out Cam Newton, he’ll be given a shot against his close ally in Tuscaloosa grab his first career win.