Former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is pushing for the team to draft a quarterback and believes Alabama’s Mac Jones is an ideal fit.
“I don’t want to be one of those people telling them how they are dumbasses if they don’t do that,” Weis said of drafting a QB during his SiriusXM NFL Radio program he co-hosts with Bill Lekas.
Many doubt Jones’ skill will translate to the NFL, attributing his college success to being surrounded by an all-star cast at Alabama.
But Weis, who coached in the Patriots’ first three Super Bowl wins, sees that argument as a positive.
“You talk about being around good players. Yeah, he was around good players said Weis, who had a hand in developing Tom Brady. “But playing on a team with a bunch of stars, who is the leader of the offense? He also had to make all those throws. I think the kid is an excellent quarterback. He has less holes than just about anybody.”
With the Patriots holding the No. 15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones’ athleticism could make him an enticing option for head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft. Considering Cam Newton’s one-year stint in New England in 2020 wasn’t as successful as the team would’ve hoped, the Patriots could turn to the draft to find a successor to Brady.
“What are the two most important components of a star quarterback?” Weis said. “They have the ‘it’ factor. And they’re accurate. That’s who [Jones] was.”
Jones, a 2020 Heisman Trophy finalist and reigning national champion, is coming off his junior season at Alabama under coach Nick Saban, a noted friend of Belichick’s. Weis compared Jones to the Saints’ Drew Brees when he was coming out of Purdue in 2001.
“He went in the second round because everyone said, ‘He doesn’t take any snaps under center and his arm is not strong enough.’ ” Weis said. “All he did was play great at Purdue, and complete almost every pass,” Weis said. “How has that worked out?”
