Mac Jones’ Christmas gifts to offensive linemen include cryptocurrency – AL.com

New England quarterback Mac Jones surprised the Patriots’ offensive linemen with Christmas gifts on Friday after practice, and the rookie’s effort impressed left guard Ted Karras.

“He did an outstanding job,” Karras said. “We got a big haul over here. I’ll let him explain everything that he got, but it’s a myriad of items each one cooler than the next. It’s one of the best efforts, especially by a rookie, to show appreciation and wish us a merry Christmas. I’m very thankful to him and very glad to be his teammate here in this Christmas season. …

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“We walked in after practice here just moments ago. Big crowd around the O-line area. Everyone kind of jealous. Some really cool stuff, and he’s obviously been a huge part of our season and just a great person and leader and someone I admire and really enjoy blocking for.”

According to Bitcoin Magazine, Jones’ gifts to the Patriots’ 12 offensive linemen included the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.

“I’ve been studying Bitcoin for a while now,” Jones said. “This year, I just knew I had to give some Bitcoin to my teammates, so I reached out to Bitcoin Magazine and asked for help on how to give Bitcoin as a gift.”

In making his selection, Jones worked with Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey, who, like the quarterback, is an Alabama alumnus.

Jones, Karras and the Patriots are preparing to play the Buffalo Bills in another showdown at the top of the AFC East. New England has a 9-5 record, and the Bills own an 8-6 mark.

The Patriots won in Buffalo 14-10 on Dec. 6, when Jones threw only three passes on a cold and windy night at Highmark Stadium.

But New England squandered some of its lead in the division by returning from its bye week with a 27-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 18. The Patriots still would clinch the AFC East title and its accompanying postseason berth if they beat Buffalo on Sunday and the Miami Dolphins lose to the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

“I think you just have to keep moving forward and understand what we’re about to face in a really good football team,” Jones said. “It comes down to controlling what you can control, and that’s your attitude and your effort. We’re trying to do that every day, and, eventually, we’ll stack days together and we’ll get a chance to play, like I said, against a really good team who have a lot of talented players, but they’re also really well-coached.”

The Patriots and Bills are scheduled to square off at noon CST Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Milder conditions are expected this time for the teams’ game, with a temperature around 40 degrees and 8 mph winds.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.