Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne praises QB Mac Jones

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne: Mac Jones 'more ready than anybody really knows'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/3/21

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has no concerns about rookie quarterback Mac Jones being named the team's starting quarterback.

Speaking with reporters Thursday, Bourne said playing at Alabama has prepped Jones for this moment and that the 15th overall pick may surprise people when he hits the field for his regular-season debut.

Kendrick Bourne said he's noticed a difference in Mac Jones since being named the starter:

"That’s a different kind of urgency... For any starter, I think you feel that pressure, but he was built for it, man, since ‘Bama. I think he’s more ready than anybody really knows."
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) September 2, 2021

Bourne, who spent the last four years with the San Francisco 49ers, has worked with plenty of quarterbacks. In addition to Jones and veteran signal-caller Cam Newton, he has also caught passes from Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens and C.J. Bethard.

Jones was named New England's starting quarterback earlier this week after the Patriots released Newton. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels told reporters he was comfortable naming the rookie QB1 because he showed much improvement throughout the preseason.

Jones and the Patriots open the 2021 season against Tua Tagovailoa, Jones's former Alabama teammate, and the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 12 at Gillette Stadium.

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