After a strong rookie season from quarterback Mac Jones, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft expects the next step in his development. The potential of the squad makes him confident.

Munich/Foxborough – Mac Jones was a real bullseye for the New England Patriots. Selected at No. 15 in the 2021 NFL Draft, the quarterback made the Pro Bowl in his first season with outstanding performances.

Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, hopes that he can take another developmental step in his second season and thus attain a similar quality as, for example, Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) or Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers).

“Time will tell,” Kraft told The Athletic. “To be fair, it also depends in part on the people around him. I’m hoping that some of the free agents we signed last year will be even more effective because they’ve got used to the system. We have a lot of talent that I don’t think has fulfilled their potential yet. “

Kraft praises Jones’ stand-up qualities

Jones completed a decent 67.6 percent of his passes in his first season, recording 3,801 yards, 22 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Will he be able to surpass those numbers in the 2022 season?

“This year will be very telling,” Kraft believes. The owner admires how the young passer has handled setbacks on the field. “He took some good hits a couple of times. But he always came back, got up and did great things,” praises Kraft.

“He also has a good relationship with his receivers. I’m very happy with what I’ve seen from him. But the second year is a big year. “