The New England Patriots found their guy. Following Tom Brady's departure and after a tough year with Cam Newton under center, Bill Belichick decided to roll with first-round pick Mac Jones out of Alabama.
While non-spectacular, Jones managed to put up decent numbers with 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions on 67% completion.
Robert Kraft Expects Pats Players To Step Up
Now, Pats owner Robert Kraft expects both Jones and the team to take a step forward, as he believes the offense has yet to fulfill its true potential:
“Time will tell,” Kraft told Jeff Howe of The Athletic. “Part of it, in fairness, is the chemistry of the people around him. I hope that some of the free agents who we brought in who didn’t perform as high as we would have liked last year will (produce) this year because they’ve adjusted to the system. And we’re making changes to take advantage of what they do best. We have a lot of talent that hasn’t been tapped into yet in my opinion.”This Will Be A Telling Year For Jones, Says Kraft
But more than his supporting cast, Kraft is also expecting to see a giant leap from his franchise quarterback in 2022:
“This year will be very telling,” Kraft said. “To come into something as new as this, as established, I think he got beat up pretty bad, and he kept coming back and getting up and really doing some great stuff. Just the way he handles himself, he took some real beatings and hopped up. He has developed a good relationship with the whole cadre of receivers. I’m very happy with what I’ve seen. But this is a big year, the second year.”Kraft Trusts Bill Belichick To Develop Jones
Kraft knows that even though Josh McDaniels is no longer with the team, Bill Belichick can surely make the most of his talents:
“I think Bill (Belichick) is best to figure that out,” Kraft said. “I’m there to support (Jones) and help him in any way, to be a figure outside of the day-to-day who can try to help in any way I can and tell him what I think. He has a good family. He’s got good parents. He’s got a wonderful lady friend in Sophie. I think he’s getting a lot of support.”Regression Is Due
But even if Jones comes back better, the Pats have done little to help him in the offseason. They've let two of their best players walk out in Ted Karras and J.C. Jackson while failing to add more weapons for the passing game.
The Pats slightly overachieved in 2021 but will now face tougher competition in the AFC East with the new-look Miami Dolphins and revamped Buffalo Bills.
]]>The Inquisitr
