Jones’ continued presence among the highest-selling jerseys reflects the optimism surrounding him in New England, after he and Bill Belichick led the Patriots back to the playoffs in his rookie season. In addition, the crowds in Foxboro have been large and buzzy for Jones so far at 2022 training camp.
The Super Bowl champion Rams are well-represented in the latest rankings, with three players in the top-10: wide receiver Cooper Kupp (third), defensive tackle Aaron Donald (fifth), and quarterback Matthew Stafford (sixth). So, the hope for Patriots fans is they end up seeing representation like this a year from now.
Here’s the full top-20 highest-selling jerseys in the NFL for the second quarter of 2022:
1. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 09: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 09, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
2. Russell Wilson, Broncos
Jul 28, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
3. Cooper Kupp, Rams
Oct 27, 2019; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (18) carries the ball in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
4. Joe Burrow, Bengals
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 31: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws the ball during warm-ups before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 31, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
5. Aaron Donald, Rams
Oct 26, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
6. Matthew Stafford, Rams
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20.
7. Davante Adams, Raiders
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JULY 27: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders catches a pass during the team’s first fully padded practice during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 27, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
8. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Though many around New England would still put Brady in the No. 1 spot, Mahomes is still the NFL’s most purely dynamic passer, coming off a season with 38 touchdowns and just six interceptions (a better ratio than Brady).
Mahomes is already a Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, and league MVP in just three years as the Chiefs’ starting QB. And he could still get even better. When Brady finally retires or falls off the “cliff,” it’ll be Mahomes’ league all to himself.
9. Josh Allen, Bills
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
10. Justin Herbert, Chargers
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a second half pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
11. Mac Jones, Patriots
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass over the defense of the Miami Dolphins in the second half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
12. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 09: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to throw during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 09, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
13. George Kittle, 49ers
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 04: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers tries to get away from K’Von Wallace #42 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Levi’s Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
14. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
Jul 27, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) catches a pass during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
15. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
Oct 17, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) scores the game winning touchdown in front of New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
16. Odell Beckham Jr., Free Agent
Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams catches the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
17. T.J. Watt, Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 03: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a sack during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on January 03, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
18. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball as Jessie Bates #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals defends during the first half in the game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
19. Trey Lance, 49ers
Jul 27, 2022; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) throws the ball during Training Camp at the SAP Performance Facility near Levi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
20. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 04: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass the ball during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Mac Watch, Day 2: Maybe pump the brakes after Patriots offense has ugly finish
Mac Jones during Patriots training camp on July 28, 2022. (Syndication: The Providence Journal)
Mac Jones and the Patriots offense has looked borderline unstoppable in training camp … in non-competitive 7-on-7 drills. Once it turns to 11-on-11, it’s become much more of a challenge.
Jones rolled for most of Thursday’s practice in Foxboro, the second day of 2022 training camp. But that was mostly in lighter 7-on-7 sessions that were barely more physical than a walkthrough.
While Jones has generally looked confident, which is important in early non-padded practices, the offense crashed hard in a more physical 11-on-11 session to close out Thursday.
The second-year quarterback started red-hot, completing 16 of his first 17 passes in a mix of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11. Most drills, like Wednesday, focused on red zone work. One early highlight was a Hunter Henry catch on a corner fade from Jones, which was well-placed over safety Kyle Dugger in coverage.
The offense would make no such plays at the end of practice. Jones and rookie Bailey Zappe combined to go 1-for-11 in the final 11-on-11 red zone drills, which featured about as much contact and physical play that you can get without pads. They also cranked the music – which included Guns ‘n’ Roses and Drake, if you’re curious – to simulate crowd noise. That ostensibly had an effect on the offensive communication.
Jones himself went 1-for-7 in this session. Four of his incompletions could be counted as overthrows. One simply sailed out of reach from Parker, another from tight end Hunter Henry. A third was caught by Nelson Agholor, but he was clearly out of bounds. The fourth looked catchable for Kendrick Bourne, who was mad at himself after he couldn’t finish the play, but it was too far to drop in the bucket.
A Gross Injustice
Mac Jones during Patriots training camp on July 28, 2022. (Syndication: The Providence Journal)
Play-Calling
Mar 16, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and senior advisor Matt Patricia watch during Georgia Pro Day at William Porter Payne and Porter Otis Payne Indoor Athletic Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
For the second straight day, senior adviser/offensive line coach Matt Patricia appeared to be the one acting as the team’s offensive coordinator. He called most of the plays, while it appeared Jones took a few play-calls from Belichick himself late in practice. Steve Belichick appears to be the play-caller on defense. Give the checkmark to Bill Jr. on that last session.