Patriots' Mac Jones reminding some of Tom Brady?

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft raised some eyebrows when he somewhat curiously said in March that "this year will be very telling" and added "this is a big year, the second year" regarding the development of quarterback and 2021 rookie Mac Jones. The Patriots then spent a fourth-round draft choice on Western Kentucky signal-caller Bailey Zappe, which had some questioning the franchise's commitment to Jones moving forward. 

The numbers show Jones enjoyed a solid debut campaign. Per ESPN stats, the 23-year-old finished last regular season 15th among eligible quarterbacks with a 92.5 passer rating, 16th with a 50.9 total QBR, 13th with 3,801 passing yards and tied for 14th with 22 touchdowns through the air. Jones also helped the Patriots reach the playoffs. 

There's a new reason for New England fans to be optimistic in the early days of summer. 

Per Rosa Braceras of NBC Sports Boston, 98.5 The Sports Hub's Scott Zolak reported during Wednesday's edition of the "Zolak & Bertrand" program that "two personnel people, one player" within the Patriots told him that Jones enjoyed "one hell of a spring." 

Zolak continued: 

"We are going to be pretty good with this kid. That means they trust him. I think they like the quarterback more than people think... Not that he's that advanced, but we trust this kid, he reminds us of [Tom Brady].

"Belichick 101 with Mac Jones can be the guy that helps him ascend in year two and not regress. And that could be all the difference in the world." 

For a piece published on June 14, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler ranked Jones second behind Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars among second-year NFL quarterbacks. 

"Jones might be atop this list if Josh McDaniels were still his offensive coordinator. Skepticism over the Patriots' offensive coaching situation for the second-year QB looms large," Fowler explained. 

It appears Jones may have plenty of doubters to silence when meaningful games begin in September.