The Patriots got their QB of the future after drafting Alabama QB Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick. But Jones will have to compete with Cam Newton before he becomes the successor to the Brady era in New England. And Julian Edelman weighed in on the situation.
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Mac Jones had one of the most efficient college football seasons in NCAA history, as he led the Alabama Crimson Tide all the way to the National Championship in 2020. Through 13 games, the Heisman Trophy finalist set the school’s single-season passing record with 4,500 yards through the air. His 41 passing touchdowns were just two away from tying Tagovailoa’s single-season mark set over 15 games in 2018.
So when he slid down to 15th on the draft board, Bill Belichick jumped at the opportunity of drafting his quarterback of the future.
Julian Edelman believes confidence will be key for Mac Jones success Dubs Him ‘Mac Attack’
In a recent podcast interview with Michael Irvin, made it clear that it won’t be easy playing in New England as the follow-up act to Tom Brady.
“He needs to have that eye,” Edelman said. “He needs to have that confidence. … What are you going to do? This kid, it’s not easy playing in New England, especially after Tom Brady, if he gets the opportunity and beats out the other guy. This ain’t going to be easy. “
“This town is tough, this town is mean, this town is blue-collar. Boston people, the New England people, they want winning. They’re used to that in all sports. The kid’s going to have a lot of pressure.”
He already has a nickname ready for the rookie quarterback: ‘Mac Attack’:
Edelman also said that the expectations for Jones are going to be different from almost any other player Bill Belichick has ever drafted. “When you play on Bill teams, [first-round picks] are usually defensive ends,” Edelman said. “Those are usually corners. We usually have the 28th pick or something — we’re getting a defensive player. That’s how Bill builds a team. But if you come in and you’re a quarterback drafted by Bill Belichick, I mean, let’s go, buddy.”
Mac Jones football IQ and processing speed skyrocketed his draft stock in the months leading to the 2021 draft. And his skill set will fit in perfectly within Josh McDaniel’s offence. It will be very interesting to see if Mac Jones will be able to beat out Cam Newton for the starting spot.
