After a solid NFL debut as a rookie in 2021, Mac Jones’ performance took a step back in 2022.
This week though, Jones told reporters at New England Patriots training camp that one of his major focal points for 2023 doesn’t have anything to do with his play.
Jones simply wants to enjoy himself on the field more.
“That’s one of the things this offseason that I put a lot of thought in to — just enjoying the game,” Jones said Thursday, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
“I feel I need to do that better — just try to lead the team more so from the mental side. Obviously, the plays and the physical stuff is there. I’ve always kind of been a fun person — hopefully people agree, that’s why people like to play with me. I just have to be consistent there. I feel like sometimes if I’m not consistent, you can tell.”
News story: Patriots QB Mac Jones, after reflection this offseason, sets a goal of enjoying the game more in 2023. https://t.co/m42VIsTm0V
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 3, 2023
The 2022 season couldn’t have been fun for Jones, as the Patriots went without a traditional offensive coordinator. Their arrangement of Matt Patricia calling plays with Joe Judge coaching quarterbacks predictably failed.
Now, Bill O’Brien is back in New England, and his goal is to try and get Jones back to where he was in 2021, when he completed 67.6% of his passes for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and the Patriots made the playoffs.
Those numbers dipped to 65.2%, 2,997 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in only 14 games last fall. If those numbers start to creep back up to where they were two years ago, we have a feeling Jones will be enjoying himself a lot more this season.