Former QB ranks Patriots' Mac Jones ahead of Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa

Retired quarterback and current NFL analyst Chris Simms delivered quite a hot take ahead of Memorial Day. 

As Darren Hartwell noted for NBC Sports Boston, Simms shared 2023 quarterback rankings via the "NFL on NBC" YouTube page on Wednesday and said he has Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins at No. 21 overall. Of the handful of signal-callers ranked higher than Tagovailoa, Simms put Mac Jones of the New England Patriots at No. 20. 

"...There's confidence and s--- talking in Mac Jones, from everybody I hear," Simms explained. "He's got incredible leadership skills that way. The durability and that aspect right there were definitely a part of the nudge of why I gave him the edge over Tua."

Both Jones and Tagovailoa missed time last season. Jones dealt with a reported high-ankle sprain, while Tagovailoa suffered at least two known concussions and ended the campaign in the league's concussion protocol before he considered retirement this past winter because of concerns related to brain injuries. 

Tagovailoa's history of physical setbacks goes beyond the 2022 season, but it can't be forgotten he was a Most Valuable Player candidate when healthy last fall. According to ESPN stats, he ended the regular season leading the NFL among qualified players with a 105.5 passer rating and 8.9 yards per pass attempt, and he ranked third with a 68.8 adjusted QBR.

To compare, Jones was 26th with an 84.8 passer rating, 28th with a 36.1 adjusted QBR and tied for 24th with 6.8 yards per pass attempt.

"Even though the arm isn't a 'wow' arm, it's above NFL average," Simms continued about Jones. "And because of the other things we talked about—his anticipation, his accuracy, his ability to hang in the pocket and see the field—he makes a number of unbelievable power throws."

Simms added he believes Jones could be a top- "nine, 10 or 11" quarterback in the league "for like 10 years in a row" in the right system, presumably one featuring Bill O’Brien as its offensive coordinator rather than assistant coaches Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. 

The NBC Sports personality is hardly the first analyst or reporter to suggest Tagovailoa's inability to remain healthy will prevent him from being a long-term answer at the position for any club, but plenty of fans will nevertheless likely blast Simms' rankings before and after the holiday weekend.