We all saw it coming, right? We should have at least.
How many times have we seen a former Patriots player land in a new and improved situation and make the most of it? Especially those who play offense. Route One has served as a black hole of offensive production in the post-Tom Brady era because of the all-encompassing situation.
We’ve now seen it through the first three weeks of the 2025 campaign with 49ers quarterback Mac Jones, Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and others.
“I did want to highlight one interesting trend from around the league that I think Patriots fans will be arrested by, and that is the fact that Mac Jones has reached two wins with the Niners. Already,” Patriots insider Tom E. Curran said on the Patriots Talk Podcast released Tuesday. “Drake Maye, by my count, has two wins with the Patriots. It’s an eye-opening development. And I just want to acknowledge it.”
Fellow Patriots insider Phil Perry said it should serve as another case study for how important it is to insert a young quarterback in a previously-polished situation.
“It’s the most valuable position in sports,” Perry said. “It is, at the same time, maybe the most dependent position in sports. It’s dependent on the play-caller and the coaching. It’s dependent on the offensive line. It’s dependent on the weapons you have. He (Jones) has a first-round receiver in Ricky Pearsall. He has maybe the best running back in the league in Christian McCaffrey, who looks like he’s rediscovered the fountain of youth. He’s got what is universally considered one of the best offensive minds on the planet, Kyle Shanahan, calling the plays. And wouldn’t you know it, he’s winning some football games. It does matter.”
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Here are four former Patriots shining with their new teams:
Mac Jones, 49ers
Surprise! Jones is fitting in well with Shanahan, who reportedly was enamored by the Alabama product before San Fran selected Trey Lance third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Jones fell to Bill Belichick’s Patriots, who gave up on him and traded the 25-year-old before the end of his rookie contract. Jones didn’t fare much better with Doug Pederson and the Jaguars in 2024 but this season with Shanahan looks different. He’s 2-0 in two starts and has completed 66.3% of his passes with a touchdown-interception ratio of 4-1. Not bad. Jones hasn’t exactly fired it downfield — seven yards per attempt on 80 attempts — but he’s done enough for the shorthanded Niners. Despite playing without starting QB Brock Purdy, All-Pro tight end George Kittle as well as top wideouts Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, the Niners are one of six undefeated teams left.
“I have all the faith in the world in him,” 49ers fullback Kyle Juszcyzk said after Jones led a game-winning drive against the Cardinals in Week 3.
Tyquan Thornton, Chiefs
Thornton has produced more in an offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes than he did in an offense led by Bailey Zappe and/or Jones. A stunner, right? After having a full offseason to build chemistry with Mahomes, Thornton is on pace for a career year in Kansas City. He’s caught nine of the 18 balls thrown his way for 171 yards and two touchdowns in three games this season. Thornton caught two touchdowns in 28 games with the Patriots. He had 39 receptions for 385 yards during his three-year tenure in New England. If the speedy pass-catcher keeps up this pace, he’ll exceed those numbers right around the midway point of his first season with Mahomes.
“It’s stunning how good he looks,” Perry said.
Thornton responded to a Patriots fan account after Week 3 and wrote: “Thank you for all the hate & doubt!”
Parker Romo, Falcons
Remember the second-year kicker that should have won New England’s kicking job but was released in favor of sixth-round round Andy Borregales? Well, Romo found a new home with the Falcons. He beat out Younghoe Koo. In two games this season, Romo is 5-for-7 on field goals but missed a 49-yarder and 55-yarder in Week 3. He’s 1-for-1 on extra points. Meanwhile, Borregales is 4-for-6 on extra points and 4-for-5 on field goals. The Miami product missed two extra points in Miami and a 40-yard field goal in New England.
Jabrill Peppers, Steelers
It made too much sense the hard-hitting Peppers came away with a forced fumble and fumble recovery against his former team Sunday. Peppers, who played 58% of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps after his first full week with the team, was a surprise cut by New England. To no surprise, he took pride after he delivered a game-changing hit against Patriots running back Antonio Gibson and ultimately earned the Week 3 win.
