If Mac Jones is to cash in on all the extravagant hype being thrown his way ... make the Year Two leap many have forecasted ... or just plain improve and develop chemistry with his receivers while prepping his offense for a wild 2022 season ... he’s certainly doing his job when he’s on the clock, and not.
Edelman details what made Patriots great
Thanks to a story from wide receiver Nelson Agholor’s Instagram, Jones was spotted having a throwing session in Carlsbad, Cali. Wednesday with Agholor and Tre Nixon. How and why the teammates ended up at what looks like a high school field throwing passes and running routes is uncertain. Nixon is seen digging out a long double move completion from Jones in one of the stories. Mac is wearing his Patriots helmet, living the part of Patriots QB 1 to the fullest. Something coaches, fans and teammates alike must love to see. Later on, Agholor and Nixon are seen having dinner together. Also a plus having a veteran receiver taking a second year receiver under his wing and spending quality time together in the offseason.
Each of the three players is entering their second year on the team, and looking to improve on their 2021 season. Jones had by all accounts a solid rookie campaign, leading the Patriots to a 10-7 record and a playoff appearance. Agholor arrived with the lofty expectations that come with a big free agent deal of two years and $22 million dollars, underperforming to the tune of 37 catches, 473 yards and three TDs. Nixon, a seventh round rookie in 2021, is basically a red shirt in 2022, having netted zero snaps last season. However the former Central Florida receiver caught the eye of many at spring practices, even earning the tag of “surprise standout” from ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Whether or not Nixon makes the squad, let alone a meaningful impact, remains to be seen. Can’t hurt put in the extra time with your QB, and maybe learning the ropes from someone who’s been around the league for seven years.
As for Agholor...he, too, would like to continue to build on his rapport with Jones, and carve out a more dynamic role in an offense that’s undergoing a few changes this offseason. Perhaps the addition of a bigger receiver like DeVante Parker, as suggested by our own Khari Thompson, will allow for Agholor to play out of the slot more and find more success like he did earlier in his career.
But it all begins and ends with Mac Jones, who’s being trusted to do much more in his second season under center in Foxborough. So goes Jones, so go the 2022 Pats. To date it seems like Mac is taking his leadership role and the work needed to elevate his game, and the offense, rather seriously. Wednesday’s session out west seems another step in the right direction for him and some of his receivers. It’s nor the first time Jones has worked out with his receivers away from Patriots practices. Back in April Jones, Parker, Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and running back JJ Taylor had an amped up session in the Tampa area. All good things leading up to Training Camp, now just under a month away.