The New England Patriots drafted quarterback, Mac Jones, with the 15th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after his successful college career at Alabama.
Last season, he was the only rookie quarterback to have a winning record and lead his team to the playoffs. He started all 17 regular-season games, was named an alternate to the Pro Bowl, and threw for 3,801 passing yards.
As impressive as he was while trying to fill the shoes left by Tom Brady, in many ways Jones was limited and not asked to do as much. The Patriots appeared to hold him back in regards to throwing the ball down the field or asking him to be a playmaker.
In week 13 last season, this was especially true. The Patriots surprisingly held Jones back from throwing the ball, as he had only three pass attempts throughout the entire game against the Bills.
The weather was a factor in why the Patriots relied on their running game instead of unleashing Jones to move the ball through the air, but it was still remarkable that he was so limited to just handing the ball off.
For the majority of the season, Jones was more of a game manager (which he was great at), but he wasn’t able to showcase his deep ball very often.
With all that said, it appears Jones did enough last season, and throughout the team’s minicamps this offseason, to gain more trust and confidence from his teammates and coaches.
That means we should expect he’ll no longer be held back like he initially was as a rookie and will be given more opportunities to make plays and have a larger impact on the offense.
As we think about how Jones was limited and restricted from fully thriving as a passer and using the whole playbook in his first season with the Patriots, I want us to ask these questions today:
“Is anything or anyone holding us back from living life to its fullest?”
“What is limiting or restricting us from following Jesus with passion and consistency?”
“Are we allowing someone or something to hold us back from thriving, experiencing freedom, and maximizing our abilities?”
“Are we being held back because of fear and worry?” If so, Proverbs 29:25 (AMP) gives us this challenge: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.” What about shame, bitterness, envy, and regret? Has someone hurt us in the past and does that pain continue to hold us back? If we want to move forward, we are encouraged in Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV) to “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Are we getting in our own way as selfishness and pride restrict us? Proverbs 29:23 (ESV) tells us, “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” Also, let’s ask God to unleash us into the amazing life He has designed for us and to help us stop missing out on joy and peace because wrong mindsets, unrealistic expectations, laziness, and procrastination are holding us back. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “… let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…” Thankfully, Jesus offers us hope and freedom and provides us the power and strength to break these types of chains in our lives. His grace and forgiveness allow us to move on from whatever holds us back as we rely on His Spirit working within us. He wants us to embrace His “entire playbook” as we step out in faith to follow His Word and maximize all of the gifts He’s given us for His glory. Today, let’s surrender to Him and not let anything or anyone prevent us from fully experiencing all that He has for us. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that there are things in my life holding me back from really thriving. I pray You would free me from any pride, shame, or fear. I trust in Your power through Jesus to break any chains. In His name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What is something that holds you back from really thriving?
What is something that used to hold you back but you have now found freedom?
How can we help you let go of something that is preventing you from moving forward in life?
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