Return of the Mac? Pressure On Patriots QB To Improve ... Or Else

Seemingly getting a mulligan on a dreadful 2022, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is under pressure to return to his Pro Bowl production.

The play-making defense led by ferocious pass-rushers Matthew Judon and Josh Uche won't matter. Neither will the addition of first-round draft choice Christian Gonzalez. Same for the arrival of new offensive weapons JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki. And drafted rookie kickers Chad Ryland and Bryce Baringer? They'll be meaningless footnotes.

If New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones doesn't drastically improve this season, it'll be a team headed nowhere fast. Again.

The NFL, of course, starts and ends with the most difficult, important position in all of sports. And last season was the embodiment of how the toppling of the quarterback domino can quickly lead to a disaster.

Coming off a Pro Bowl rookie season in 2021, a year ago Jones arrived at training camp in better shape and - seemingly - as a more forceful leader. But soon it all unraveled.

Thanks to a badly sprained ankle and confusing, inconsistent play-calling from inexperienced offensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Jones lost his rhythm, his confidence and, temporarily, his job as the Patriots finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.

He drastically regressed, barely fighting off a challenge by rookie Bailey Zappe. Jones threw several temper tantrums on the field, was accused of being a "dirty" player by his peers and ultimately threw only 14 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.

Early this offseason, he posted a cryptic poem on his social media. And coach Bill Belichick, upset that Jones sought outside counsel during last season's turbulent run, reportedly sought trades for his quarterback and made an offer to the Green Bay Packers about acquiring Aaron Rodgers.

But with the departure of Patricia, a "clean slate" offered by new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien and a short-but-sweet public endorsement from Belichick, Jones is getting a mulligan on 2022.

To his credit, Jones is doing and saying all the right things as training camp continues in Foxboro. He even showed off surprising arm strength recently, launching a 70-yard bomb at a kids camp.

"Really great people are formed through ups and downs,” Jones said during minicamp last month. "I’m starting fresh, just like everybody else is. I’m going to run my own race and look at the end and see where I’m at."

Jones seemingly has a better - more forgiving? - support group around him than last year. His performance better confirm it. Or else.

---

Follow Richie Whitt on Twitter

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.