For much of his time in Foxborough, Mac Jones has sidestepped any questions about Tom Brady.
His predecessor as the Patriots franchise quarterback soared to heights never before seen in the NFL, and it was clear that as a young player, Jones had been instructed to zip it whenever asked about Brady. The team needed to move forward.
In Green Bay this season, Jordan Love is facing a similar situation as he tries to replace Aaron Rodgers. So on Wednesday afternoon at Lambeau Field, Jones was asked about his experience following Brady, and if there was any advice he’d have for Love.
The Patriots quarterback was as transparent as he’d ever been when speaking about Brady publicly.
“I think Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL,” Jones said. “So to follow (after) 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: 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.”
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Now that he’s been around for a bit, does Jones still feel the long shadow that Brady has cast?
“I got drafted like three years ago, so it’s just trying to move on from that part of it,” Jones said, “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.”
