If you ask Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones could be the next G.O.A.T. in the NFL
As the NFL Draft rapidly approaches, every team will be looking for the next great quarterback. Franchises live or die by the way the pocket passer performs under pressure. If the quarterback is the problem, the team is likely going to be sitting in dead water.
The verdict is still out on Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa entering the 2021 offseason. The second-year gunslinger from Alabama is hoping to prove he’s the first franchise quarterback since Dan Marino in South Beach, hoping to lead his team to a Super Bowl.
After Tagovailoa declared for the NFL Draft, the Crimson Tide turned to Mac Jones as the next starting quarterback. Nobody knew if he would be even the full-time starter by midseason, but instead, Jones led the Tide’s offense to record-breaking numbers and another national title.
As Jones prepares for a draft journey of his own, Tagovailoa gave plenty of praise to his successor. However, is the comparison worthy of consideration when looking at Jones’ work?
On a podcast with Yahoo Sports’ Eric Edholm, Tagovailoa said Jones’ game is similar to that of the GOAT.
“I would say he’s a sly kind of athletic person,” Tagovailoa said. “He’s a more mobile Tom Brady.”
Could Jones be the next G.O.A.T. of the NFL?
Could Tagovailoa’s comments be a ploy to help the New England Patriots draft Jones? For the first time in two decades, the team was without Brady, who signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year.
Bill Belichick did his best to make it work with Cam Newton, but it wasn’t enough. Newton struggled to connect with receivers and bring a similar winning demeanor to New England, finishing the season 7-9 and missing the postseason.
Meanwhile, Brady won his seventh Super Bowl in a 31-9 victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jones impressed down in Mobile, Alabama at the 2021 Senior Bowl. One of the biggest knocks on the junior quarterback was his loaded cast of weapons found in Tuscaloosa. Did they bolster his stats, or was he just as talented without them?
Overall, scouts left believing Jones has the tools to be a franchise quarterback. Tagovailoa seems to agree.
“I’m thinking whatever team gets him they’re going to be very lucky,” Tagovailoa said. “He’s a great player.”
For now, the only comp anyone should have between Jones and Brady is both could be Patriots. However, time will tell if the one-year starter at Alabama can have a successful NFL career.