FOXBORO, Mass. - Rookie Mac Jones, named the New England Patriots' starting quarterback for the first time publicly, commented that he plans to keep in touch with Cam Newton and was not surprised that he won the job.
"He was a really good mentor to me," Jones said on sports radio WEEI's "Merlonie & Fauria" program. "I know we'll keep in touch. Ever since I got here, he knew I was here to help him and he was here to help me, so I never felt like we were beheading or doing anything like that.
"Obviously Cam is a great guy, a great player, and hopefully he'll land somewhere. I've definitely learned a lot from him and I'm excited to learn from Brian [Hoyer] and everyone in the quarterback room." "
Jones, a first-round draft pick from the University of Alabama, shared that he learned he was a starter in a team meeting. He described it as a difficult day as it came at a time when many of his comrades were being released.
Asked if he was surprised, Jones said on the radio program: "Not really. Like I always say, I prepare to be a starter. I got a chance to get a lot of reps. Something really doesn't change either. Just trying to be a good one. Teammates, trying to learn plays every day, fix what I messed up and [offensive coordinator] Josh [McDaniels] and the quarterback room Listen to everyone and get advice."
The Patriots begin the season at home on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins (CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET), meaning Jones will play against his former Alabama teammate, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The two have not been connected since Jones was named a Patriots starter.
"We've been very busy," Jones said on WEEI. "He doesn't really go on his phone that much. I don't really go on his phone that much. So I guess when we see each other we have to talk."
"Tua's an awesome guy. He's a really good, talented football player. It was great to learn from him and Jalen [Hurts], obviously. Now that we're all getting a chance here in the NFL, I think That it would be nice to go against each other."
Jones, 23, said the first phone call he made since becoming the Patriots' starter was to his parents, Gordon and Holly. He also shared that he's been learning the Patriots' playbook with the help of his girlfriend, Sophie Scott, as they occasionally walk through plays in the yard at their residence.
Regarding his reaction to earning the starting job, Jones said on WEEI: "It's a great opportunity and something I've always wanted to do - become an NFL starting quarterback. It doesn't mean much. The label is the label, But you have to go out and produce. It's just like that."