Mac Jones garners praise from New York Jets DC ahead of Week 2 matchup
By Jake Rill
Published:
Mac Jones has wasted no time in becoming an impressive NFL starter. The former Alabama quarterback may be only 1 game into his career with the New England Patriots, but he’s already garnering plenty of praise and attention.
That includes from New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who will be tasked with trying to slow Jones and the Pats’ offense this Sunday. And he knows his defense is going up against a QB who doesn’t look like somebody making his second career start.
“He’s way better than I wanted him to be,” Ulbrich told the media on Thursday. “You anticipate seeing a young, inexperienced quarterback making young, inexperienced quarterback type of decisions. I didn’t see a whole lot of that.”
Jones went 29-for-39 for 281 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions in New England’s Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins. His first NFL TD came late in the first half on a 7-yard strike to Nelson Agholor.
Ulbrich believes it was Jones’ time at Alabama that got the quarterback prepared to have immediate success in the NFL.
“Part of that was he’s got some real skill and poise. Obviously, he comes from a school where they get NFL-caliber coaching, so he’s probably as NFL-ready as you can find from the quarterback position,” Ulbrich told reporters. “They’re working the scheme around him and giving him some clean reads and some easy progressions. He’s got some good guys to throw to, too, so it’s all those things.”
Jones and the Patriots will look to notch their first win of the year when they go on the road to face the Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
