Mac Jones on facing Tom Brady: ‘It’s really just us against the other team’

One of the many storylines that will be present when the Patriots play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday night is Tom Brady facing off against the man brought in to be his long-term successor, Mac Jones. However, Jones doesn't quite see things that way.

On Wednesday, Jones was asked a number of questions regarding Brady ahead of their matchup. However, the 23-year-old spent most of the time downplaying that element of Sunday's game.

To start, Jones was asked if he's thought not just about facing Brady, but a true elite NFL quarterback for the first time. "Not really," he replied. "I mean, it's really just us against the other team, and that's how it always will be, and it's not like one person versus one person, so I think that a lot of it is 11 on 11, and that's what goes into it, and that's how they're going to look at it. That's how every team looks at it. It's just you're getting a chance to compete in a primetime game, and it just kind of is what it is."

When a follow up was asked about any extra pressure he feels when it comes to being Brady's heir apparent, Jones reply was indirect. "I think it just goes back to really with pressure, you just got to focus on doing what you're supposed do, and people who have jobs in high pressure situations, that's what they do," he explained. "They do their job really well, and they prepare really hard, so it's all you can control, and once the hay is in the barn, the hay is in the barn, and you just got to go play, and I think everyone will be excited, and we're just going to be ready to play when it happens."

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.