Nelson Agholor: Mac Jones' 'greatest strength is his ability to communicate'

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones produced a solid rookie season in 2021 but nevertheless failed to earn a glowing public vote of confidence from team owner Robert Kraft in late March when Kraft said that "this year will be very telling" regarding Jones' development. It was then suggested earlier this month that Jones could be on a "short leash" this fall after New England spent a fourth-round draft pick on Western Kentucky signal-caller Bailey Zappe. 

By all accounts, Jones is comfortably atop the depth chart until further notice, and wide receiver Nelson Agholor offered high praise for his QB1 when he told reporters the 23-year-old's "greatest strength is his ability to communicate" with teammates. 

"Obviously, he’s a great quarterback, I think he throws the ball amazing," Agholor explained, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "But I love the way he communicates, and that’s something that allows you to grow together, to work together.

"Communication is the key to every great relationship. He does a great job telling me what he sees, he does a great job telling me what he likes about what I’m doing … telling me some things that are hard for him to read when I’m moving around. Things like that. And once you know, it’s less of a gray area." 

As Simmons noted in a separate piece, Agholor joined the Patriots via a two-year, $26 million deal in March 2021 but went on to record just 37 receptions for 473 yards and three touchdowns with his new club. The truth is Agholor may find himself playing for his job in New England more so than Jones later this year.