RG III: Patriots’ coaching setup will have ‘massive impact in a good way’ on Mac Jones – AFC East

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. RG III’s take: One of the NFL’s more compelling 2022 storylines will be how quarterback Mac Jones is affected by the Patriots’ new-look coaching staff.

Bill Belichick hasn’t named a coordinator or playcaller to fill Josh McDaniels’ void. Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, whose backgrounds have primarily been on defense and special teams during their NFL careers, assumed leadership roles on offense in spring practices. Belichick was also usually nearby.

Some analysts have expressed concern it could stunt Jones’ growth in his second season, when players often make their biggest leap. But don’t put former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III in that category.

“The coaching setup will have a massive impact on Mac Jones in a good way,” said Griffin, an ESPN analyst. “Mac has already spoken about how it has been a collaborative process with the coaches and players talking in meetings, installing the offense. And I believe that will lead to more ownership from him about what is being called and how he sees the game.”

Few dispute McDaniels’ excellence. Belichick compared him to Alabama coach Nick Saban last season, which is as high of a compliment as he could give. McDaniels, by all accounts, played a significant role in Jones’ development as a rookie.

At the same time, once the football is kicked off, the game is mostly in the players’ hands.

In that sense, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow — in a stellar second season in 2021 — helped elevate coach Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.

Likewise, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert — with a new coach (Brandon Staley) and offensive coordinator (Joe Lombardi) in his second season — had Los Angeles on the cusp of the playoffs in 2021.

For his part, Griffin sees championship potential from Jones, picking him over Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), Zach Wilson (Jets), Justin Fields (Bears) and Davis Mills (Texans) as the Class of 2021 quarterback, who played significant snaps as a rookie, most likely to win a ring first. Griffin put Trey Lance (49ers) into the wild-card category because he mostly sat on the bench as a rookie.

Mac Jones is MOST LIKELY to win a ring FIRST of the rookie QBs who played serious time last year….