Patriots' Adrian Phillips shares bold praise for Mac Jones

Veteran New England Patriots safety Adrian Phillips wants everyone to know he expects quarterback Mac Jones to bounce back in a big way following a rough 2022 season. 

"I've seen him grow and change a lot," Phillips said about Jones on Tuesday, per Michael Hurley of CBS News Boston. "I don't want to give too much detail into it, just because I don't want to give up his little tidbits. But I just think overall, he's a way better quarterback. He took last year on the chin. He'll be the first one to tell you that that's not how he wanted to play."

Jones didn't and/or couldn't hide his frustrations on multiple occasions during the past campaign as the New England offense struggled to produce positive results under assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. The 2021 first-round draft pick has since received a fresh start while working with new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, and Phillips indicated the 24-year-old has impressed defensive teammates throughout summer practices. 

"He's coming out here every single day and he's trying to light our defense up," Phillips said about Jones. "Like literally, light us up. I'm talking bombs, anything he can do. You just love to see that. He's always checking the play, he's always ready to give you something that you have to think about. And I just think his confidence is through the roof right now."

According to ESPN stats, Jones finished last regular season ranked 28th among eligible players with a 36.1 adjusted QBR. He also dealt with a reported high-ankle sprain during the fall and ultimately recorded 14 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions across 14 games. 

Jones earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie but now finds himself trying to convince the Patriots to at least pick up the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract. He's thus far done well to keep 2022 rookie Bailey Zappe a backup throughout the preseason, but Jones seems to understand he still has plenty to prove beginning with the Week 1 matchup versus the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 10. 

"Obviously, we haven't even played a game yet, so I don't know if [being a better quarterback is] true or not," Jones said Tuesday in response to Phillips' comments. 

If it's not true, Jones could again become the subject of trade rumors as soon as January 2024.