When the discussion of quarterback redemption stories comes up these days, Sam Darnold is the hot topic. But during a recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, Rich Eisen put a different name out into the universe. He thinks this quarterback could be the next redemption story.
“Mac Jones, in my estimation, is the most likely candidate to be the next Sam Darnold of anybody else,” Eisen said.
Could Mac Jones Be The Next Redemption Story?
It is an interesting observation by Eisen, as he cannot just be referring to Jones’ recent play in San Francisco. He is clearly considering his time spent with the New England Patriots.
Mac Jones was selected in the middle of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He had an electric rookie season where he threw twenty-two touchdowns, led the Patriots to the playoffs, and even earned himself a spot in the Pro Bowl.
There is no such thing as beginner’s luck in the NFL. You do not put up numbers like that without having some talent.
Where the Wheels Fell Off in New England
But after his rookie season, the wheels fell off.
“Second year falls off. Then whatever the heck happened with him and Belichick,” Eisen said.”
The fall off was severe. The entire offensive structure of the Patriots seemed muddled. The discussion of play calling became a target of the media every week. By the time Jones left New England, he was considered just another draft bust of the 2021 quarterback class. To date, of the five quarterbacks drafted in that first round class, only Trevor Lawrence still holds a starting job. It appeared that Jones would end up being a career backup at best, just like the rest of the 2021 busts.
“Camp Peterson” and “Camp Shanahan”
Eisen had a unique perspective on Jones’ career. He seems to think that each stop since Jones has left New England has been a rehabilitation camp for him.
“He needed to go to Camp Peterson down in Jacksonville. And now he is in Camp Shanahan,” he said.
Jones Proved his Worth
Sam Darnold’s recent success in both Minnesota and Seattle is widely credited to the system Kyle Shanahan has developed in San Francisco. Eisen thinks that when called upon, Jones has shown increasing stability in his play.
“Brock Purdy was not available for some time this year and Mac Jones kept the Niners afloat they almost won the one seed,” Eisen said.
Jones exhibited that, at a minimum, he was able to operate as a game manager for a team in the most competitive division in the NFL. The question has to be asked: Was Mac Jones ever the problem in New England, or was it Bill Belichick and his questionable decision-making?
Was Jones Ever the Problem?
The answer to that can firmly support one side of the next age-old question that has been in discussion since the New England dynasty began to crumble in 2020: Was the Patriots dynasty driven more by Tom Brady or Bill Belichick?
Brady vs. Belichick Revisited
Tom Brady left the Patriots for warmer weather in Tampa Bay and won the Super Bowl in his first year. Since then, the Patriots have struggled to find that spark offensively that kept them a playoff contender for two decades. While Jones showed promise in his first season and current quarterback Drake Maye had an excellent sophomore season, everything in between has been a struggle.
Only the future will tell if Jones has a redemption story like Sam Darnold. But if he does, it will not only change his legacy in the NFL.
It could potentially reshape how the Patriots’ recent history is remembered.