Kirk Herbstreit is '1000%' behind Mac Jones as Patriots starting quarterback

Count Kirk Herbstreit among those who expect a significant rebound from Mac Jones and the Patriots offense. He says he’s “1,000 percent” behind the quarterback.

Herbstreit is mostly known as a college expert. But he added NFL to his football duties last fall, joining Al Michaels in the broadcast booth for Thursday Night Football on Prime. He’s studied Jones, the former Alabama star, for years. On Thursday, Herbstreit dropped by The Pat McAfee Show to share his football thoughts.

“I’m not going to say (the Patriots) are going to be the most improved offense and he’ll be the most improved quarterback,” Herbstreit said. “But he’s going to be in the top three. And without a doubt the Patriots are going to be among the top three most improved offenses.

“I’m 1,000 percent behind Mac Jones. Of all the younger quarterbacks who haven’t had the opportunity to kind of prove their consistency and what they can offer. … I’m telling you right now in whatever month we’re in, telling you right now Mac Jones will be a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback whether it’s this year or in the coming year. … He’s that good.”

"I'm 1000% behind Mac Jones and without a doubt that offense will be much improved"@KirkHerbstreit #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/dIpmft6Xko

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 22, 2023

Herbstreit also heaped more praise on Jones:

“He was honestly the most impressive quarterback I’ve talked to in college about what he sees and how his brain processes and how it fires. Give me a break on what they were doing on offense last year. He had no chance. Not only did he not have weapons around him, but what they were doing schematically, he had no chance.”

The Patriots used Matt Patricia, a former defensive coordinator and offensive line coach, as their offensive play-caller in 2022. And for whatever reason, Mac Jones’ production took a big step back. He did suffer a high ankle sprain, which caused him to miss three games. His quarterback rating dropped from 92.5 in 2021, his rookie season, to 84.8 last fall. Jones also raised eyebrows when he argued with his position coach in team meetings. Plus, cameras showed him yelling at Patricia on the sidelines of a game in December.

Coach Bill Belichick parted ways with Patricia and hired Bill O’Brien, a former OC. O’Brien also worked in the same role at Alabama. He’s reportedly installed much of the Crimson Tide offense that Jones ran while he was winning games in Tuscaloosa.

“So to blame him is a bunch of bullshit,” Herbstreit said of Jones. “You give Billy O’Brien, who is as good of an offensive mind as there is, the chance to come in there and work with Mac Jones. I’m telling you right now, you’re going to see a drastic change in what he’s doing at quarterback and what the Patriots are going to be able to do on that side of the ball.”

Belichick wouldn’t endorse Jones as the starter when asked about quarterbacks earlier this year.

“Everybody will get a chance to play,” Belichick said at the NFL spring meetings. “We’ll play the best player.” 

The other quarterback in the equation is Bailey Zappe, who subbed for Jones when he was injured. Patriots fans are hoping Herbstreit’s predictions come true. New England finished 8-9 last season and missed the playoffs.