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Did Mac Jones connect with a future Patriots teammate at the Pro Bowl?

Tim Crowley February 7th

Mac Jones had all sorts of fun at the Pro Bowl on Sunday, from hitting the Griddy to firing touchdown passes. On his one passing touchdown of the day, he placed a ball perfectly in the back of the end zone for Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow.

While the TD may have come in an exhibition game, Jones-to-Renfrow could be a combination in Foxboro in the near future. Renfrow is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the Raiders in 2022, and is not eligible for a fifth-year option, so there’s a chance he reaches unrestricted free agency.

A fifth-round draft choice out of Clemson in 2019, Renfrow emerged as a cornerstone piece of the Las Vegas offense in his third season. He caught 103 passes, tied with Stefon Diggs for ninth in the NFL, for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns to earn his first Pro Bowl nod.

Assuming the Patriots continue to run the same general offense in the post-Josh McDaniels era, Renfrow certainly fits the blueprint.

Rather than beat opponents with pure size or speed, the 5-foot-10 Renfrow excels in the slot with elite footwork and steady hands. His game has drawn comparison to notable Patriots slot receivers of the past like Wes Welker and Julian Edelman. This made him a common Patriots pick for draft prognosticators in 2019.

Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Las Vegas Raiders carries the ball past Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Hunter Renfrow #13 of the Las Vegas Raiders carries the ball past Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Renfrow would give Jones a reliable target over the middle of the field and, by extension, further open up the New England offense. A weapon like Renfrow would fill a major need while elevating the Patriots’ passing attack and possibly replicating aerial concepts from the Welker and Edelman eras.

In a recent interview, former Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia stressed the need for a capable slot receiver to boost the offensive production in Foxboro.

“Those are go-to guys,” Scarnecchia told NBC Sports Boston. “Just guys that keep the chains moving.”

Renfrow made 51 of his 103 catches for first downs in 2021. He could prove expensive in a year, if his production keeps going up under McDaniels. But if the Raiders can’t lock up their young slot star before he reaches free agency, there’s a good chance he’d draw interest in Foxboro.

WATCH: Top Patriots Pro Bowl moments

  • The NFL held the first Pro Bowl in two years on Sunday, after last year’s game was canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This year’s game featured a heavy Patriots presence, with four players representing the team for the AFC, which won 41-35.

    From Mac Jones dancing to J.C. Jackson living up to his nickname to Matthew Slater playing out of position, here are the top moments from the Patriots at the 2022 Pro Bowl…

    Mac Jones: Between whistles

    Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC quarterback Mac Jones of the New England Patriots (10) looks to pass the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

    When the game was on, Mac Jones got the most play of any AFC quarterback. He finished the game 12-of-16 with 112 passing yards. In the third quarter, he made an impressive throw while rolling to his right, pinpointing a pass to Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow for a touchdown.

  • Mac Jones: After the whistle

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots rushes with the ball during the second half against the NFC during the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

    For all he did throwing the ball, Jones’ viral moment came after a play. The relaxed nature of the game resulted in him being whistled down on a scramble despite not being touched. Yet Jones continued running all the way to the end zone and then broke out in the Griddy, which has become a popular touchdown celebration across the NFL this year.

  • J.C. Jackson’s tip-drill grab

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: J.C. Jackson #27 of the New England Patriots catches the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the NFC during the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

    Pending free agent J.C. Jackson lived up to his nickname of ‘Mr. INT.’ In one of the highlights of the game, Jackson made a bobbling, tip-drill, toe-tap interception off of Russell Wilson in the end zone. It was one of four AFC interceptions in the game.

  • Matthew Judon leading the defense

    Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC outside linebacker Jatthew Judon of the New England Patriots (9) and defensive end Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders (98) sack NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings (8) during the second quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

    Matthew Judon led the AFC defense in more ways than one. He recorded six tackles, which was the most by any defender on the team. While on the sideline he was his usual energetic self, setting the tone and engaging with both teammates and fans.

  • Matthew Slater playing out of position

    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys catches the ball for a touchdown as Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots attempts to defend during the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

    Originally selected to the game as a special teams player, Matthew Slater got some reps on the defensive side of the ball too. Slater briefly got into the game at safety – the position he played in college at UCLA. He unsurprisingly looked a little rusty as CeeDee Lamb beat him for a touchdown (the relaxed nature of the game didn’t help either). Slater hasn’t played regular defensive snaps in the NFL since 2011, when injuries led to him seeing a significant role at safety for a short window.

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