After months of waiting, we finally have football. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is set to play in the preseason opener and, according to the latest NFL rumors, is looking forward to working on in-game communication with his offensive line. In other news, Bill Belchick had some thoughts on Mac Jones\u2019 first game of live action, while CJ Henderson is earning starting reps in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n
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The last time we saw Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, he was running for his life<\/a> in the Super Bowl. Since then, Brett Veach and the front office have made massive moves to improve the blocking. The team started it off by signing Joe Thuney in free agency but also added Orlando Brown and a few depth pieces during the offseason.<\/p>\n The talent is definitely better, but Mahomes understands that it takes time for all these pieces to come together as one. While speaking to the media, Mahomes said that he hopes \u201cthe communication…with so many new guys especially on that offensive line<\/a>\u201d is one of the most important things to work through in the first preseason outing.<\/p>\n While Mahomes will play in the preseason opener, he probably won\u2019t see the field for very long. Most starters hardly see the field during the first week of action, and it\u2019s highly unlikely Andy Reid puts his franchise quarterback in too much danger. For what it\u2019s worth, some teams aren\u2019t even playing their starters at any point in the preseason. Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> head coach Brandon Staley, for instance, said that Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and Keenan Allen won\u2019t see a single snap of preseason action.<\/p>\n Perhaps the biggest highlight of Thursday\u2019s games was the NFL debut of quarterback Mac Jones. Jones, a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, didn\u2019t start the game but saw the majority of the action. While he didn\u2019t light the world on fire, he played a smart, safe game and kept the ball out of harms\u2019 way.<\/p>\n While it was an encouraging debut, head coach Bill Belichick noted that the team as a whole needs to get better. \u201c[J]ust in general, we need to play faster and react faster\u2026certainly at the quarterback position, but every other position too\u201d.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s never a good idea to read too much into a Belichick press conference, it\u2019s safe to say that Cam Newton is still the starter in New England. Jones\u2019 heavy workload felt more like getting the young kid acclimated to life in the NFL. Overall, Jones completed 13 of his 19 passing attempts for 87 yards and 4.6 yards per attempt. However, he also had a great throw down the sideline that should have been a 34-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n Highest-graded rookies this preseason:<\/p>\n OT Dan Moore Jr., Steelers (82.1) — PFF (@PFF) August 13, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nBill Belichick on Mac Jones: Everybody Needs to Play Faster<\/h4>\n
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OT Sam Cosmi, Washington (81.8)
LB Buddy Johnson, Steelers (81.1)
QB Mac Jones, Patriots (79.5)
DI Isaiahh Loudermilk, Steelers (78.3) pic.twitter.com\/CbYOjM7b8a<\/a><\/p>\n