When will the Alabama football QB start over Cam Newton?
Mac Jones had to wait his turn with Alabama football, but he finally became the starter in his fourth year with the team. In that season, he became a Heisman finalist and set records with the Crimson Tide. After going in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones likely won’t have to sit on the bench for three years like he did in college.
However, this situation is unprecedented. The Patriots haven’t drafted a quarterback in the first round since Bill Belichick became the head coach. Rookies usually have to wait their turn in New England, but will that be the case for your new franchise quarterback?
The Patriots have high hopes, but they need solid quarterback play to succeed. So, when will Mac Jones win the starting job in New England?
The Patriots QB battle
For all intents and purposes, this is a two-person competition. Cam Newton re-signed with the Patriots after starting for them last season. He is the frontrunner to start in the first week, and he would likely have to do something to lose that job. However, Mac Jones has shined in the preseason so far. If all things are equal, Belichick may choose to go with the younger option in hopes of building for the future.
Jones proved that he was an intelligent quarterback who could win a locker room and lead a team to victory when he was Alabama football’s signal-caller. He’s proven just as much in the preseason, and he appears to be ready to lead the Patriots. Unless New England gets off to a winning streak early with Cam, the Mac Jones Hype Train may have too much momentum to stop.
In terms of a specific week, look at Week 5. The Patriots have a tough start to the season with games against the Dolphins, Jets, Saints and Bucs. 2-2 would be a win with that kind of schedule, and it’s very possible that the Patriots go 1-3. If that happens, Mac could get the next start against the Houston Texans. Houston is one of the worst teams in the NFL, and the opponents don’t get much harder for a month. The next five opponents all failed to make the NFL Playoffs last year, so Mac would have a chance to get some momentum before the home stretch.
This may be too early, but the timing makes sense for both the Patriots and Mac Jones. You want to ease a rookie quarterback into the mix, and this would do just that.