Professional expectations for Mac Jones have been high since he walked across the NFL Draft stage in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 29, 2021.
After one year in Foxborough, it appeared that Jones may meet those expectations or even surpass them, thereby christening him as the New England Patriots' next franchise quarterback. Jones led the team to a 10-7 record and a spot in the playoffs, earning himself a Pro Bowl nod in the process.
Things have not gone to plan since then. Jones regressed over his next two seasons in New England, moved to the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of the 2024 campaign, and is now on his third team in as many years. Jones, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers in March, expects to appear on the depth chart behind starting signal caller Brock Purdy.
As he heads into his fifth season in the NFL, Jones is looking to use his past failures as fuel for future success.
“I think, for me, just acknowledging what I could have done better,” Jones said. “I’m always looking inward and, obviously, learning from some great people along the way, and then taking those scars and kind of brushing them off and using them as power.”
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium.
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Jones understands that mistakes and bad plays are "all part of football." But he said he has noticed in some of his past film reels that he has not been fully committed to some of his throws.
"My goal is to really just have great attempts. Like, is the ball supposed to go there? And it if is, then let it fly and be commit to it," Jones said. "I want to get better at that, and I have when I've been out there. That's the whole point of football: to try those throws, learn from them, and then, when you get to the game, you can say, 'Hey, I can do this.'"
Jones said he is starting to reap the rewards of this reflective mindset and hopes he continues to grow as the season progresses.
“I think, at some point, those are going to help me,” Jones said. “They have helped me, whether that’s here in practice or, maybe, in a game in the future. That’s what I’m looking forward to. You may not think about a specific instance, but that’ll make you stronger in the long run. I’m putting my new foot forward and trying to learn from a great organization.”