Belichick talks ‘healthy’ competition between Mac Jones and Cam Newton
It's a new look @Patriots team in New England 👀
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 5, 2021
Head coach Bill Belichick chatted with @WillieMcGinest about bouncing back in 2021 👇 pic.twitter.com/5fgOdctpgQ
Bill Belichick spoke on Thursday to NFL Network analyst and former Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest about the team’s quarterback “competition.” His comment suggests what he’s said before about Mac Jones and, ostensibly, every rookie he’s ever coached: he has a long way to go.
“Mac’s competing well, I’d say really all of our rookies are doing a good job,” Belichick told MicGinest, who played for the Patriots from 1994-2005, including five seasons under Belichick. “They’ve embraced the process. They know they have a lot to learn, a long way to go. They’ve worked hard, they’ve studied hard. They’re certainly not there yet, but they’ve gained a lot of ground from back when we started in the middle of May.
“Cam’s [Newton] getting better every day, Mac’s getting better every day. They’re pushing each other. I think competition makes us all better. So, it’s been healthy, and we’ll see how it goes.”
Belichick rarely says anything definitive about his roster – other than Cam Newton being his starting quarterback. So when he speaks, the only options are to let them pass or read into them however you see fit.
Anyone who’s trying to will a real quarterback competition into existence will harp on Belichick’s mere use of the word “competition.” Otherwise, you could simply point to the fact that Belichick brought up Newton in the first place, despite McGinest’s question being specifically about how Jones looks in training camp so far.
How does Jones look? He’s strung a couple of strong days together in a row, but has certainly had his share of ups and downs. Even in the most recent Patriots training camp practice on Thursday: despite making a number of impressive throws in 11-on-11 drills during a driving rainstorm, Jones also fumbled a snap in a drill with the offensive line and running backs. He had to run a lap along with center Marcus Martin for the mistake. Jones also had the ball whacked out of his hands in a ball security drill, and the rookie had to do some push-ups.
Ball security is job security. #Patriots rookie Mac Jones pays his penance with push-ups pic.twitter.com/kFtAbA9eva
— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) August 5, 2021
It’s blemishes like these that will make it easy for Belichick to say Jones has a long way to go before taking over the starting quarterback job. Jones may be able to do that at some point during the 2021 regular season, and certainly once the season starts, all bets are off. The rookie’s recent performances have been promising for the big picture.
But as of Friday, we’re still in the middle of training camp, and the question is who starts Week 1. The answer is going to be Newton. It’s OK to take Belichick’s word for it. You don’t need to invent a “competition” for the Week 1 gig when it’s not really there.
MORE: Mac Jones shines on day 8 of Patriots training camp
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].
