Mac Jones stepped into a time machine on Saturday night and dominated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense as if he were a rookie quarterback for the New England Patriots.
The reality is that Mac Jones is entering his fourth year in the NFL as a potential backup to Trevor Lawrence for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s not even guaranteed a spot on Jacksonville’s final roster, but his performance against the Buccaneers likely gave him a big edge in the competition.
Jones, a former first-round draft pick of the Patriots, completed 16 of 23 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, an impressive performance from a player who appeared more relaxed and confident on the field for the first time in more than three years.
Some still blame the Patriots’ failure to shore up their offensive line and provide a reliable wide receiver for the failure of the Jones era in New England. NFL fans mocked the Patriots after Jones’ big preseason performance.
Here are some of the reactions:
As a Patriots fan, I’m happy for Mac Jones, he’s bounced back a bit and is putting together some good games thanks to some offensive coaching and hard work.
The Patriots and Bills destroyed him, with a terrible offensive line and their best receiver briefly sidelined by a knee injury.
— MJB (@MJFromTheNS) August 18, 2024
As a lifelong Patriots fan, Mac Jones is so awesome, old Bill Belichek screwed him up, and I’m so glad Tom Brady got away with Bill Belichek’s old bastard before he got fired.
— 🌟🌟BryanLeslie30, famous star of Broden, Jacob🌟🌟 (@BryanLeslie30) August 18, 2024
If Mac Jones wins a Super Bowl with the Jaguars, it will make the Patriots look very bad.
— Max in a Truck (@bigmaxc12) August 18, 2024
Like I’ve been saying all along. If the Patriots had drafted MHJ and kept Mac Jones, NE fans would be a lot better off. I wish they’d kept Mac for another year https://t.co/ZVWsT9Z2c9
— Ⓜ️AjinⓂ️Ani🔮 (@PIJ_Mangoe) August 18, 2024
I want to see Mac Jones develop into a beastly QB under Pederson, the Patriots sink into the ground for the sins they committed against Mac Jones, and Bitch Bill Belichick be especially humiliated.
— Christina 🌴🥥 (@politicalchicky) August 18, 2024
The Patriots organization has let Mac Jones down, Belichick should never get an NFL job again, enough is enough.
— Pats Fan (@Patsfan38832185) August 18, 2024
Mac Jones: Proof the Patriots’ system failed.
— Boston Fan (@Bigkat819) August 18, 2024
It’s still preseason…watching Mac Jones slice through most of the Buccaneers’ #1 defense…hopefully the Patriots don’t screw Drake Maye lol
— Leonard T (@LTtwo) August 18, 2024
Mac Jones seems much more comfortable and confident playing for the Jaguars than he did with the Patriots, making this the perfect time for him to resurrect his career. #Jaguar
— Dr. Jeremiah Emanuel (@JeremmanuelPhD) August 18, 2024