Mac Jones is impressive in preseason debut for New England Patriots

The New England Patriots gave us a long look at Mac Jones on Thursday night, as the rookie signal-caller led the offense for five drives in the middle of their first preseason game against the Washington Football Team. On the night, Jones completed 13-of-19 passes for 87 yards. He did not turn the ball over or score a touchdown.

Projected starter Cam Newton led the Patriots‘ offense for the first two drives of this game before handing the offense over the Jones late in the first quarter.

His first pass was an incompletion on a pass to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers in the middle of the field. Replays showed that the pass was actually completed on a nice catch by Meyers, but Mac Jones picked up the 3rd and 5 conversion on the very next play with a nice completion to Kristian Wilkerson on a back-shoulder throw.

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Jones was able to lead the New England Patriots to a field goal on that first drive with his most impressive throw actually coming on an incompletion. On a first down play from the 34-yard line, Jones found Wilkerson deep down the left sideline and dropped the ball in his hands perfectly in the end zone. It was an impressive throw for the young quarterback, but his receiver did not help him out, dropping the would-be touchdown pass.

The Patriots went back to Mac Jones to begin the second half, where he led his most interesting drive of the night. After the second-half kickoff, the Patriots came out in a no-huddle offense, allowing Jones to control the offense and call the plays on the field.

Jones looked completely in control on that drive, completing eight consecutive passes to begin the half. While all of these passes were quick, short completions, Jones did show good poise in the pocket and placed the ball well. Simply put, he looked like he belonged on an NFL field.

While we probably should not get too excited about this solid, yet unspectacular debut for Mac Jones, there was a lot to like about this performance. He is never going to be the most exciting quarterback around, but Jones is a good, reliable player who can certainly grow into an impact player at the quarterback position.

Nothing Jones did on Thursday night likely changes his immediate future. He will still likely enter the season as the New England Patriots’ backup to Cam Newton. That being said, we will see Jones on the field at some point this season and based on his performance against Washington, it is fair to expect him to have some immediate success.