Year 3 is a make or break year for NFL quarterbacks, especially 1st round picks. Year 3 is the final year before the team decides if they are going to exercise the 5th-year option on the rookie deal or not. Occasionally when a 5th year is declined, that quarterback will stay with their team. See Daniel Jones and the New York Giants. But most of the time when players get their 5th year option declined, it spells the end is nearing. The New England Patriots are in that position right now with Mac Jones. And surprising we still do not have an answer to the question; Is Mac Jones good? Is rookie season was a resounding success. Last year with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge calling plays, he regressed. This is a massive year for Mac Jones and his future with the New England Patriots.
Watching Mac this season, I would say he is already in a better spot than any point last season. But there are still limitations to the offense, and we don’t know who’s to blame for that. The offensive line has not been good this season. Yet Mac has found ways to score enough to keep the Pats in games late. The pass catching options lack true explosiveness. Yet Mac is 16th in the league in passing yards. So is Mac Jones good? I think he is, but there are some damning stats that show he is simply not the guy. I want everyone to know that wins are not a quarterback stat. However, when digging deeper Mac Jones has not gotten the job done when it’s mattered the most.
24 Points Is Key
Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots walks off the field after his team’s 25-20 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
24 is a key number with the Patriots. Over the last 3 seasons (Mac Jones era) the Patriots are 0-14 when opponents score 24 or more points. What is frustrating for Patriots fans is the defense has allowed 24 points or more the fewest times over the last 3 years.
Comeback Kid???
(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Mac Jones and the offense have not come through in crunch time. The Patriots are 0-12 in games where they get the ball down 7 or fewer points in the 4th quarter. They have not been winning games when it comes down to the offense making plays.
Failure Against Playoff Teams
(Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
The Patriots have faced 15 teams that went on to make the playoffs that season. They are 3-12 in those games. And the 3 wins are not impressive. One was against the Bills where Mac had a total of 3 passing attempts. The second what against the Titans when 14 players were out for COVID including AJ Brown and Derrick Henry. And the last came in 2022 against the Dolphins with Skylar Thompson at quarterback.
1 Drive That Worked
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
In addition to not coming back in games. The Patriots have rarely put late game drives together that resulted in points. The Patriots are 1 for 21 in drives in the 4th quarter that would have tied the game or given the Patriots the lead. The one was last season against the Cowboys in a game where Mac threw a pick 6 in the 4th quarter that put them down 8.
