Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones was a divisive figure leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft. Some predicted that he would go as high as No. 3 to the San Francisco 49ers. That did not happen after San Francisco selected fellow quarterback Trey Lance.

Once the Chicago Bears moved up to the 11th pick for Ohio State signal caller Justin Fields, there was some talk that Jones might fall down the draft board. It did not happen.

In true Bill Belichick fashion, the six-time Super Bowl champion and his New England Patriots selected Mac Jones at 15 without having to trade up.

New England was in the market for a trade up throughout the entire pre-draft process. Heck, they were in on Jimmy Garoppolo up until recently.

Mac Jones won two College Football Playoff National Championships with the Alabama Crimson Tide. One as a reserve quarterback in 2017, and another as a starter in 2020. In 2020 he also won the Davey O’Brien, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and Manning Awards.

He’ll now be tasked with replacing Tom Brady over the long-term. Needless to say, this pick was the talk of social media.

NFL world reacts to New England Patriots selecting Mac Jones in 2021 NFL Draft

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness
Even Mike Budenholzer admits the Suns need a point guard
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa lead at PGA Championship
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Panthers star named winner of 2024 Selke Trophy
WNBA to investigate $100,000 sponsorship deals for Aces players
Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Blue Jays GM wants struggling club to feel 'massive sense of urgency'
Raptors expected to flip former NBA champion during the offseason
MLB insider reveals Mets' massive extension offer that Pete Alonso turned down
Celtics legend provides update after gruesome finger injury
Bulls hire former NBA head coach as top assistant
Chiefs move on from young running back

Want more Alabama news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.