As An Alternate, Mac Jones Becomes Fifth Rookie Pro Bowler In New England Patriots History

The fifth quarterback selected in last April’s NFL draft will be the first to play in a Pro Bowl.

Mac Jones has been added to the 2022 AFC roster as an alternate, the New England Patriots announced.

The Alabama product posted a 10-7 record as a starter in his initial regular season. He did so while going 352-of-521 passing for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on the way to a wild-card playoff appearance against the Buffalo Bills.

Jones’ completion rate of 67.56% ranked eighth in the NFL and qualified for second all-time among rookies behind Dak Prescott’s 67.76% with the 2016 Dallas Cowboys. Per Pro Football Reference’s Stathead, only seven other quarterbacks threw for more touchdowns in their rookie years and only four threw for more yards.

“Mac is super consistent,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told reporters as the calendar turned to January. “Every day is really the same day for Mac. He’s always well-prepared. He’s in early. He’s ready to go. He knows what we’re going to be doing, and he’s already got a head start on it. He maximizes the information that the coaches give him, maximizes the walkthroughs, the practice reps and learns from whatever happens in those situations.

“He’s smart. He’s a good learner, but he’s got good instincts and good mechanics. He’s just worked hard to get better every day. A lot of consistency and great work ethic and really pays attention to details and has just improved in every area throughout the course of the year. Continues to improve on a daily basis. He’s just a really great person to coach because he’s so responsive to trying to do everything the way that you want to do it.”

In the midst of the NFL’s extended schedule, Jones was under center for a New England winning streak that spanned seven games. He eclipsed 70% in completions on nine occasions and 300 yards on two occasions.

Pick No. 15 overall ultimately ranked No. 15 around the league with a passer rating of 92.5.

Jones was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team last week alongside Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore, a Crimson Tide teammate who arrived in the second round.

The Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes were the AFC quarterbacks voted to the Pro Bowl in December. Now, following opt-outs, Jones will step into the depth chart bound for Las Vegas.

The former national champion and consensus All-American marks the fifth player to ever represent the Patriots in the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Safety and captain Devin McCourty stood as the last to do so after a 2010 campaign that featured seven interceptions. Running backs Curtis Martin and John Stephens, in 1995 and 1988, respectively, preceded him. And so did cornerback Mike Haynes back in 1976.

The exhibition’s kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET next Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

The 23-year-old Jones will be accompanied there by a trio of New England veterans in Matthew Judon at outside linebacker, J.C. Jackson at cornerback and Matthew Slater on special teams.