Mac Jones and Justin Fields both made their NFL preseason debuts and NFL fans had interesting reactions to both players’ performances.
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Fields seems to be soaking in all the attention he’s getting recently. The Bears rookie had a pretty impressive showing in his game against the Miami Dolphins, making several highlight worthy plays.
First #NFLPreseason game.@justnfields did not disappoint. 💪 pic.twitter.com/IlDcoQhA81
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2021
Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones also had a good outing in his first NFL preseason game as he made some really accurate throws all day long. However, because his plays weren’t as ‘flashy’ maybe as Fields’, he hasn’t been gaining the same kind of attention the Bears rookie has been.
That, coupled with the fact that a quarterback playing good even in a preseason game will have Chicago Bears fans drooling, has led to some fans potentially overrreacting while others are blaming those same fans for overreacting.
Mac Jones’ 40 Yard Dime Has Gone Under The Radar While Justin Fields’ Wide Open Throw Is Being Overhyped And Gaining Patrick Mahomes Like Attention
One of the best plays Mac Jones made in his preseason debut came on a 40 yard pass down the sideline that should have been a touchdown, but the wide receiver unfortunately dropped the pass.
My goodness. Mac Jones put this ball right on Kristian Wilkerson’s hands (and only where the WR could catch it). 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/odjmGeahQP
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) August 13, 2021
That’s about as good as it gets when it comes to ball placement. The wide receiver has to be more aware of where the ball is and bring that in. However, because the pass did fall incomplete, Jones’ throw wasn’t receiving the media attention that Fields’ recent plays have brought.
For example, this was an incredible play for the Chicago Bears as they scored a touchdown, and Fields does a good job of indentifying the wide open man and throwing it perfectly to him. However, there definitely is a different between a tight deep pass and a wide open throw.
✅ Rush TD
✅ Pass TDJustin Fields is having himself a day in his NFL preseason debut 👀
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/Xj08oI4VHp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 14, 2021
That had NFL fans reacting this way:
Mac Jones throws a dime 40 yards down field that shouldve been a TD, bounces off his WR hands: *crickets*
Justin Fields throws a touchdown to a wide open WR with no one within 20 yards of him:
“NEXT MAHOMES!”
— El Capitãn (@DomGonzo12) August 14, 2021
To be fair, the fan has a point. However, touchdowns are what drive publicity, and with all the history the Bears have had with poor quarterback play in the past, anything that Fields does well will be placed on a much greater pedestal than what Mac Jones does.
However, that doesn’t mean that Jones played poorly or anything. That 40 yard touchdown would have really boosted his stats, but he still finished with an impressive and efficient 13/19 for 87 yards. Fields would finish 14/20 for 142 yards. Hopefully for Jones, the next dime he throws is hauled in.