Here are three potential quarterback free agents for the New England Patriots as the market is set to open this month. According to The Athletic, the Patriots will reportedly look for a veteran in a three-step plan. They plan to explore their options in free agency by first adding a mobile veteran quarterback to potentially back up their next franchise star from the NFL Draft this year. The third step after that would be to trade Mac Jones, but they’re not in the rush to start a rookie once they draft one.
The post-Bill Belichick is starting in the world of Foxborough where they’ve explored at least three quarterbacks from the draft on their radar. Many sources report that the Patriots are leaning toward selecting a quarterback from the draft. As they embark on their journey, they have many options to choose from. With the No. 3 pick, they have the third-highest amount of salary cap space which is roughly $66 million to address the quarterback situation.
The Patriots got to speak with the top quarterback prospects at the NFL Combine. According to a report, New England considers Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels worthy of a top-three selection. The team likes what they see in this year’s draft, but they may need to add a veteran to help complement the new franchiser.
Some quarterbacks are reportedly intriguing the Patriots, while some are not. NFL Media Tom Pelissero reports that New England has re-signed former CFL quarterback, Nathan Rourke. So things are shaping to see what the Patriots will do when the market opens.
Three Potential Quarterback Free Agents for New England Patriots
Baker Mayfield
Bleacher Report said that the Patriots organization already has support for impending free agent Baker Mayfield. However, there have been talking heads saying it may be difficult for the Patriots to land Mayfield due to salary. Veteran quarterbacks have been typically landing over $40 million dollar deals so this is something that won’t be costly for New England. The 28-year-old had an illustrious campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, completing 64.3% of his passes for a career-high 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.
He led the Buccaneers to a 9-8 record and an NFC South title, and they won in an upset against the Philadephia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card. Mayfield reached his first career Pro Bowl and finished third in Comeback Player of the Year. Patriots currently have the most salary cap at just over $88 million so they could afford to sign someone like Mayfield to a long-term deal.
The Patriots aren’t in a rush for their rookie quarterback or whoever they select to start week one, so adding Mayfield could get the organization back to where it needs. They reportedly won’t force a rookie into action if he feels he isn’t ready. So the expectation is that if Williams, Daniels or Maye lands with New England then don’t expect them to start.
Joe Flacco
The NFL Comeback Player of the Year could be a good fit for the Patriots. He signed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad before taking the reigns as the starter. In five games with the Browns, Flacco threw for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and a 90.2 QB rating. He completed 123 passes on 204 attempts in those matchups.
He also has ties with New England’s offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, guiding the Browns to the playoffs last season. They could replicate that same success under a new era with the Patriots.
Ryan Tannehill
Just like Flacco, he could be the bridge for the future of the Patriots while they rebuild their franchise. He’s another mobile veteran quarterback who could get New England back on their feet post-Belichick era. Tannehill threw for 1,616 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions in only starting eight games. If the Patriots can rebuild the foundation of their offensive line then that can buy them time to build up their next franchise quarterback from the draft.
