GREEN BAY, Wisc. — Let’s be sincere: Patriots-Packers joint practices would have carried extra gravitas in the event that they had been held 4 years in the past.
Since that point, Tom Brady left the Patriots, joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after which retired, and Aaron Rodgers was traded from the Packers to the New York Jets. And now two younger quarterbacks — the Patriots’ Mac Jones and the Packers’ Jordan Love — are caught residing within the shadows of two of the best quarterbacks in NFL historical past.
Jones, who by no means really performed with Brady, since he was drafted a yr after Brady left for the Buccaneers, was requested if he would have any recommendation for Love about changing a residing legend.
“I think Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL,” Jones mentioned. “So to follow up on him, it’s just trying to chase the standard that he set every day. Honestly, we’re definitely two different players. That’s the only advice I’d have (for Love): just continue to grow and be yourself, right? That’s all you can do: put your best foot forward and compete. But yeah, it’s definitely big shoes to fill.”
Love served as Rodgers’ backup from the time he was drafted within the first spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft till final season. Now, with 83 profession passing makes an attempt and an 0-1 file as a starter, Love could be very clearly the man in Green Bay with two inexperienced backups in Alex McGough and rookie Sean Clifford.
Jones was requested a follow-up about probably nonetheless being in Brady’s shadow since a lot of the Patriots’ id was cast by the longer term Pro Football Hall of Famer.
“I got drafted like three years ago, so it’s just trying to move on from that part of it,” Jones mentioned, “and understanding how you can set the standard that he had already set, you know? For us it’s just, every year is a new year. You’ve gotta go out and earn it. He did that every year. And I’m going to continue to do that as well.”
The Patriots made the playoffs and went 10-7 in Jones’ first yr as a starter in 2021 when he was a rookie. He was nonetheless taking part in below Brady’s outdated offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, on the time. McDaniels left to turn into the pinnacle coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Matt Patricia and Joe Judge infamously took over the offense. Jones bought harm final season and went 6-8 as a starter. Now he’s making an attempt to bounce again below one other considered one of Brady’s former OCs in Bill O’Brien.
Jones actually appears extra assured heading into his third yr within the system. It appears unattainable to totally stay as much as the usual Brady set, nonetheless, since six Super Bowl wins come together with it.
Brady will return to Gillette Stadium to be honored by the group following his offseason retirement Week 1 in opposition to the reining NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. No stress, Mac.
Source: www.bostonherald.com