The Patriots’ Mac Jones, the most highly regarded quarterback in the 2021 draft class, saw his first NFL game action on Thursday.
Even though everyone watching knows receiver Jakobi Meyers actually got his hands under the ball, the rookie’s first-ever NFL pass will be recorded as an incompletion.
Mac Jones’ first pass was ruled incomplete, but Jakobi Meyers caught it pic.twitter.com/RJJazAU7Zn — Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL) August 13, 2021 IYER: Mac Jones aces eye test in Patriots preseason debut, builds case to start at QB over Cam Newton
Bill Belichick, the coach of the New England Patriots, is not one of them.
Bill Belichick was questioned why he didn’t dispute Jakobi Meyers’ apparent reception, which was judged a complete. Here’s his response (given in true Belichickian style):
“I didn’t feel like confronting it,” she said. “Didn’t feel like it?”
@McKennAnalysis (@McKennAnalysis) August 13, 2021 pic.twitter.com/peTDTUhsRa — Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) August 13, 2021
Despite his brief response, there was most likely a lot more to his decision, not the least of which was watching his rookie quarterback handle various scenarios, including his first-ever NFL third down.
In that moment, he delivered, throwing a 7-yard pass to Kristian Wilkerson on third-and-5.
On the next drive, on a Jones third-and-2 scramble, the side judge ruled him a yard short of the line to gain after Washington’s William Bradley-King took him down. Another play Belichick may have contested occurred on the next drive, on a Jones third-and-2 scramble: the side judge called him a yard short of the line to gain after Washington’s William Bradley-King brought him down.
Belichick, once again, chose to ignore the call.
Jones appeared at ease in his first game with the Patriots, completing 13 of 19 passes for 87 yards.
He exhibited good pocket presence, followed his progressions, didn’t force any throws, and threw catchable balls.
He came close to throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to Wilkerson, but the latter couldn’t adjust to the ball (thanks to youngster Torry McTyer for getting a hand in there):
Mac Jones placed the ball directly in the hands of Kristian Wilkerson (and only where the WR could catch it).
Jones did throw a few low balls to receivers and tried to connect on a slant route on a longer third down try, but those mistakes might be attributed to his rookie status. pic.twitter.com/odjmGeahQP — Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) August 13, 2021 Jones did throw a few low balls to receivers and tried to connect on a slant route on a longer third down attempt, but
