For Mac Jones and the New England Patriots it was a difficult year in 2022. Now the six-time champion is trying to relaunch its attack with its still young quarterback. At any rate, Jones indicated in practice that he seems to be back on track.

It was one of Mac Jones’ first media rounds of 2023.

In terms of content, they are mostly similar. No one is surprised by that. Jones consistently showed himself to be a phrasemonger in his first two years, with little to come out of him. The school of Bill Belichick.

However, they show a visually different picture than in 2022. While the number 10 of the Patriots last year often appeared with a hanging head and a petrified expression, he is always beaming over both ears in the Patriots’ OTAs so far.

More smiles from Mac; seems much more at ease in media Q&A’s this offseason. pic.twitter.com/QR4SQu384F

– Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 12, 2023

There’s no sign of storylines like “Belichick is pissed and wants to get rid of him”. This is apparently also reflected in his training performance.

Mac shaves in training: the O’Brien effect?

The reporters in attendance were amazed at Monday’s practice when Jones seemingly found the ghost of his predecessor Tom Brady in the 11-on-11 unit. A whopping 25 completions in a row to start the drill proclaimed the reporters on Twitter. As a reminder, the Patriots’ defensive backfield is nominally considered one of the best in the league. Last year, the same journalists had to pass on bad news about a disastrous Patriots offence at the same time.

But what is the reason for the apparent leap forward in terms of both performance and spirits? “It’s just not easy when you have two playcallers who have never done it before,” Patriots legend James White alludes on “Up&Adams” to Joe Judge and Matt Patricia, who took care of the offense around Jones in 2022. Judge was previously in charge of special teams, Patricia of defense.

With less restraint, “FOX” journalist Kevin Wildes called it. “Who would have thought it wouldn’t do a young quarterback good to have a defensive coordinator calling his plays?” he asked rhetorically. That Belichick acknowledged his mistake is evidenced by the announcement of Bill O’Brien as designated offensive coordinator just days after the season finale in Buffalo.

The 53-year-old failed as head coach of the Houston Texans, but went on to shape the fourth-best offense in the country as offensive coordinator in college football with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

DeAndre Hopkins: The missing piece of the puzzle?

Actually, Jones has a lot of pass receivers at his disposal. JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton and the tight end tandem of Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki sound like potent tools to operate on an offense.

What’s missing is a clear-cut number one. In other words, a player to whom you can throw the ball a little blindly with a clear conscience, and who, when the ball is remotely catchable, usually catches it. Such a player would be DeAndre Hopkins. He’s expected to be at the Patriots’ practice facility this week.

Asked about the star receiver, even Jones came out of his sterile mode. “Of course, we’d all love for him to be here,” the Alabama alum said. Hopkins also has a successful past with Bill O’Brien with the Houston Texans.

He may even be the puzzle piece needed to fully bring out Jones’ potential. “Look at Josh Allen. He got Stefon Diggs and got better. Jalen Hurts got A.J. Brown and got better. Tua Tagovailoa got Tyreek Hill and got better,” Kevin Wildes pleaded for more support for Jones.

It’s too early to get euphoric in the New England area. The opponents in the AFC, and especially AFC East, are too strong for that and the preseason is not yet far enough along. But it’s certainly enough for Patriots fans to be hopeful about the weeks and months ahead.

Jones certainly seems to be doing that.