Mac Jones: Patriots QBs are 'all in this together'

Once word got out that New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton wasn't practicing on Thursday due to a slight bone bruise on his right hand he suffered last week, some noted Newton's absence opened the door for first-round draft pick Mac Jones to earn additional reps and potentially impress head coach Bill Belichick.

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN, however, Jones remained behind Jarrett Stidham and journeyman veteran Brian Hoyer on Thursday, and the rookie later told reporters he has no problem with his current spot on the depth chart. 

"I'm the rookie so I'm just learning from them. We're all in this together," Jones said. "There's competition but people want to have a misconstrued word there like it is a bad competition or unhealthy. We're all close. We're all going to get better together. That's what we're going to do." 

It's widely assumed Belichick brought Newton back for a second season in March to start ahead of a first-year pro who became Jones, but the one-time NFL Most Valuable Player could find himself relegated to the bench by September if he struggles this summer as he did for the bulk of the 2020 campaign and Jones shows he's ahead of schedule during preseason action.