Mac Jones will improve in his sophomore season

By: Jake Rajala

The cheerful Mac Jones had an admirable rookie season – as he unveiled 3,801 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and led his team to a 10-7 record (including a pivotal playoff berth). The former Alabama product has a larger chip on his shoulder in his sophomore season. It would be hard for Jones to not carry an infinite amount of motivation, as his team was blown out of the wild-card round by his despised divisional foe in the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills.

The Pats made a very underrated re-signing in WR Jakobi Meyers. The deep-threat WR garnered 126 targets and 866 yards last season. It will be a serious challenge for defenses to prepare for the speed of Meyers while stopping the Jones-Devante Parker connection. The former Dolphin wanted to be traded to Belichick’s squad and he will really strive to return to unveil outcomes similar to his 2019 season (1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns).

DeVante Parker is arguably the Pats best “WR” since the days of Wes Welker in 2012.

The Pats didn’t only gift Parker in Jones’s second season in the system, but they also brought back the versatile RB James White (who suffered a season-ending injury after three games) on a two-year contract. The Super Bowl LI hero nicely notched 751 receiving yds in 2018, 645 receiving yds in 2019, and 375 receiving yards in 2020. He can absolutely be a secret weapon for Jones out of the backfield.

The 23-year-old Jones will not only tear down a poster of Josh Allen each morning and practice with his most explosive offense thus far, but he will also prepare to face favorable competition in 2022. Bill Belichick and Jones ought to be licking their chops, as they have the 25th most difficult schedule. Tom Brady and a half of Gronk may be in Tampa Bay, but the tides appear to be really turning for Jones and his crew in 2022.