Patriots: Mac Jones earns rave reviews from teammates ahead of Year 2

New England Patriots wide receivers are praising quarterback Mac Jones’ arm strength in minicamp.

After Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, the New England Patriots went on a search to find his successor. In the spring of 2021, they used their first-round selection on Alabama’s Mac Jones, who was coming off of a National Championship win. Jones showed promise in his rookie season, but did not exactly light up the stat sheet.

During New England’s mandatory minicamp, Jones is earning some rave reviews from his teammates as he prepares to enter his second NFL season. Some of those players are wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor.

Mac Jones impresses teammates during Patriots minicamp

“He’s a year better,” said wide receiver Nelson Agholor, h/t Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. “Working hard every day. He does a great job communicating, always working to be the best version of himself. I’m grateful to have him as a quarterback.”

One area that has earned rave reviews from teammates and media in attendance is Jones’ arm strength, which was an area of concern during his rookie campaign. Just take a look at one of Jones’ throws to receiver Tre Nixon in practice, courtesy of Khari Thompson of WEEI.

Jones won the starting quarterback job through training camp over veteran Cam Newton, and he made the most of his opportunity as a rookie. Through the full regular-season, Jones completed 67.6-percent of his passes for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He earned a Pro Bowl nomination and finished second in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

The Patriots went 10-7 to clinch a Wild Card berth, earning a first-round matchup in the playoffs against the rival Buffalo Bills. Buffalo blew out New England 47-17. Jones completed 24-of-38 pass attempts for 232 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Patriots fans have to love what they are hearing about Jones’ improvements through the offseason. But, they want to see it translate on the field during the regular-season. So, let’s come back to this once we are well into the regular season.