While there’s much to agree and disagree about when it comes to the 2022 New England Patriots, one thing everyone should be in lockstep about is the team will go as far as Mac Jones goes. Same can probably be said for almost any NFL team. But the Patriots will be asking quite a bit from their second year signal caller. Jones, who by most accounts had an excellent rookie season, enters year two with a new offensive coordinator(s) - as to who’s doing exactly what in practice and on the sideline remains to be seen. Factor the unique offensive coaching structure in with the integration of new players and trying to keep up with an improving division and conference, and well, Mac Jones is going to need to ball out for the Patriots to have a competitive chance in 2022.
Count one member of the NFL Network as a believer in Year Two of Jones. So much so he thinks he could be a dark horse candidate for MVP.
Peter Schrager, analyst for NFL Network and FOX Sports, said on a recent episode of “Good Morning Football” that he believes Jones has the skills and could make the leap and lead the Pats attack to a point where MVP consideration wouldn’t be out of the picture. Schrager notes Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson both won MVP in their second season in the league. Though this situation is wildly different, Schrager notes, “The Patriots bring back a lot of players for a team that went to the playoffs last year.” He agrees that the pick will raise some eyebrows, adding, “Not a popular pick but that’s the whole point; dark horse.”
Skepticism is sure to follow the selection, mostly due to the play-calling and organizational questions surrounding Jones and the Patriots offense. Some other analysts have joined Schrager in saying Jones will have an excellent second season in New England. Yet some, even at our own station, have predicted a regression by Jones in his second season. It is the offseason still, and conversation points and hot takes are needed to keep the NFL media engine rolling. This is the Patriots after all, always at the forefront of the ooff and in-season conversation. But the polarizing and divergent levels of confidence or doubt in Jones and the Patriots offense are understandable. The development of the Pats offense will certainly keep the dialogue going in the media, the stands, tailgates, beaches and wherever the anticipation of pro football can be felt for months to come.
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