Comparing Year 3: Mac Jones, Tom Brady, and Drew Bledsoe as Patriots QBs
Patriots fans love a good quarterback debate, especially when it involves comparing different eras. With Mac Jones entering his third season in 2023, it’s worth taking a look at how he stacks up through the first four games against two other notable Patriots QBs in their third year: Tom Brady (2003) and Drew Bledsoe (1995). The numbers might surprise you.
Mac Jones – 2023 (Year 3)
Stats: 93/146 (63.7%), 898 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs, 7 sacks
Record: 1-3
Worst Loss: By 35 points
Mac has shown flashes of improvement in accuracy and decision-making, but the win-loss column and a blowout loss have raised concerns. Still, when stacked against his predecessors, his numbers hold up surprisingly well.
Tom Brady – 2003 (Year 3)
Stats: 84/135 (62.2%), 848 yards, 5 TDs, 7 INTs, 10 sacks
Record: 2-2
Worst Loss: By 31 points
Even the GOAT had growing pains. Brady’s third season stats through four games weren’t significantly better than Mac’s. In fact, he threw more interceptions and took more sacks. Of course, Brady turned things around quickly that season—leading the team to a Super Bowl win.
Drew Bledsoe – 1995 (Year 3)
Stats: 100/205, 1,058 yards, 0 TDs, 5 INTs, 7 sacks
Record: 1-3
Worst Loss: By 25 points
Bledsoe racked up yards, but the absence of touchdowns and high number of attempts paint a picture of inefficiency. Like Mac, his team struggled early in the season, and turnovers were a key issue.
The Verdict
No third-year Patriots QB started off perfectly. While Mac Jones has taken plenty of criticism, his start to 2023 is statistically on par—or better—than both Brady and Bledsoe in similar stages of their careers. Time will tell if he can turn it around the way Brady did or if his trajectory follows a different path.