Mac Jones Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds Move Up, Kyle Pitts Starts to Fall
By Peter Dewey
New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones has been impressive this preseason, and got an opportunity to run with the first-team offense last week because Cam Newton was out due to COVID-19 protocols.
Jones was lights out in last week’s joint practice against the New York Giants and showed more promise in their preseason matchup on Sunday. His teammates are starting to realize just how good the rookie can be.
Mac Jones was a surgical 35 of 40 against the Giants defense in practice, including a stretch of 18 consecutive completions. Jones hit Jakobi Meyers for a 50-yard TD against double coverage in the final two-minute period. With temps approaching 90 degrees, it was an intense day.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 25, 2021
“He’s getting a lot of reps now. He’s taking control of the huddle and just trying to do the best he can,” running back James White said. “He’s just making sure everybody is on the same page, so we can go out there and execute not just for one period, but throughout the entire practice.”
Jones, who had been moving up the odds list at WynnBET to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award this offseason, has made another jump in those odds.
The former University of Alabama quarterback went from +900 to +700 to win the award after his Week 2 preseason performance, putting himself ahead of Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts.
“I think Mac is doing a good job, taking leadership, controlling everybody, having everybody in the right place and stuff like that — making the team be a real team,” wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.
The Patriots have a decision to make between Newton and Jones, but Newton’s absence last week certainly has opened the door for Jones to steal the job in the final week of the preseason. Jones finished Sunday’s preseason matchup with 10 completions on 14 attempts for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Bill Belichick has been mum on when he plans to name a starter for the 2021 season.
Question: Looking ahead to the regular season, have you made a decision on who will start at quarterback in the opener?
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 30, 2021
Bill Belichick: “No, we still have a lot of decisions to make.” pic.twitter.com/jyDxpFioTa
Jones is still behind Trevor Lawrence (+275), Justin Fields (+525), Zach Wilson (+600) and Trey Lance (+600) among the rookie quarterbacks, but he clearly is making up ground as the starting job starts to lean in his direction ahead of Week 1.
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