Former NFL QB Has Perfect Advice for Mac Jones and Cam Newton

The New England Patriots have several quarterback options at the moment. Bill Belichick selected Mac Jones in the 2021 NFL Draft and offered Cam Newton a one-year deal. Belichick will make them go against one another in training camp. He did that last year. Newton competed with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer for the starting position. He got the job but failed to lead the Patriots to the playoffs. Belichick knew it wasn’t his fault and offered him another deal.

Former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington has something to say about Newton and Jones and even offered an advice.

The former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins quarterback appeared on the Tom Curran podcast on Friday. Let’s not forget that analysts have compared Jones to Pennington in multiple occasions.

According to Pennington, the Patriots should take time developing their rookie quarterback.

“I do understand what’s happening in our league,” the former quarterback said. “Our league is much younger now. Our younger players are asked to play and be more productive at an earlier part in their career. I understand that. But from a quarterback perspective, I think that three-year process is really important. And even though Sam [Darnold] was given three years, was the right structure of the organization and the right players around him to be successful? That’s really the question to ask. Even with a guy like Mac Jones, what are the organizations doing to develop that? Obviously, you saw that great talent in the player. So now it’s up to you to bring that out. You can’t just place it all on the player.”

Mac Jones is challenging Cam Newton

If Newton stays healthy, he would have great production in New England.

“Own your territory. Own who you are as a quarterback. Be confident in what you bring to the team. The leadership and the playmaking ability. And always remember these 32 teams are looking for great quarterback play. What you learn as a player is to not get emotionally tied to a club. Because every club is going to say, ‘Hey, we don’t need your services anymore.’ But how you handled your business and how you played the game will in fact give you another opportunity, and I think that’s what Cam has to focus on wherever that may be.”