For the first time in this millennium, the New England Patriots will not have Bill Belichick on their sideline. However, that’s not the only change coming to the 2024 New England Patriots. After three years at the helm, the Patriots are going to trade quarterback Mac Jones and build around a new franchise passer. The team currently holds the third-overall pick, and most reports across the league indicate that the team will use the selection to take the best quarterback on the board while pairing him with a bridge quarterback in free agency. This leaves Jones as the odd man out, as the team will deal the former first-round pick to whoever is interested in his services.
Jones has had a bumpy three years in the league. Originally selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Alabama product was supposed to begin his career behind quarterback Cam Newton. However, after an impressive offseason, Belichick decided to release Newton and hand the reigns over to the rookie. This decision worked out, as the quarterback led the team to a 10-7 record while completing 67.6% of his passes for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. While he didn’t set the world on fire, nobody thought the Patriots would want to trade Mac Jones any time soon after this promising debut.
However, the quarterback regressed in each of the past two years. While his supporting cast didn’t help, it’s clear that New England believes they’re better off starting over anew at the quarterback position. Despite this, other teams seem to believe that Mac Jones is not beyond redemption, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that multiple teams have expressed interest in a trade.
The #Patriots appear open to trading QB Mac Jones and teams have been calling them and doing work on the former starter, sources say. With a new coaching staff, a fresh start may make sense for all sides. pic.twitter.com/UQtUoKZT8m
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2024
Multiple Teams Doing Work On Potential Mac Jones Trade
Despite his strong rookie season, nobody is going to trade for Mac Jones to be their unquestioned starter. His past two seasons were objectively terrible, and no amount of poor scheme and subpar playmakers can justify some of his off-target throws, inexplicable touch passes, or poor decisions. Anyone looking to acquire the quarterback will do so to have him battle to be a bridge quarterback or a developmental backup.
Nobody is going to trade a high pick for a player like Mac Jones, but somebody will toss a late-round selection to see if they can find the rookie version of Jones. After all, he was a first-round pick for a reason, so he’d be a decent fit for a team with no hope at quarterback, or a team just looking for a better backup.
Best Team Fits
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos took on a record amount of dead money to release Russell Wilson, all but ensuring they will not be competitive in 2024. With limited draft picks and even less cap space, this team probably won’t have the resources to trade up in the NFL Draft or sign a quarterback like Kirk Cousins. With this in mind, they might need to trade a late pick for Mac Jones and draft Bo Nix in the second round. Head coach Sean Payton likes quarterbacks who take what the defense gives them, play within a system, and don’t try to do too much, and Jones and Nix both fit that prototype.
Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins seems destined to join the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, which means the Minnesota Vikings are in serious trouble. Currently holding the 11th pick in the NFL Draft, the Vikings will need to move heaven and earth if they want to get one of the top quarterback prospects in the class. If they’re unable to trade up, then they might have to settle for Mac Jones. In a best-case scenario, Jones will come alive throwing to a great wide receiver duo in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. In a worst-case scenario, Jones plays like he did last year and Minnesota drafts their quarterback of the future in 2025.
Kansas City Chiefs
Obviously, Mac Jones is not going to overtake Patrick Mahomes for the starting job. However, he should be a clear upgrade on Blaine Gabbert. No matter who the backup is, Kansas City’s year will be over if Mahomes suffers a season-ending injury. However, if he has to miss a month, Jones is capable of keeping the ship afloat and going 2-2 during that hypothetical stretch. This alone might be enough to justify a Mac Jones trade if the price is low enough.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is the unquestioned franchise quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers. Easton Stick is not the unquestioned backup quarterback. The former fifth-round pick wasn’t terrible in relief of Herbert last year, but there’s certainly room for improvement. Head coach Jim Harbaugh likes having a game manager capable of executing an offense, and he might get that quarterback in a Mac Jones trade. If Herbert is Harbaugh’s new Colin Kaepernick, then Jones can be his Alex Smith.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers made a blockbuster trade for the third-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. At the time, some believed that Kyle Shanahan wanted Mac Jones, while the rest of the front office preferred Trey Lance. While neither quarterback worked out, this could be Shanahan’s chance to get his guy at a reduced rate. Brock Purdy will be the starting quarterback in 2024, but this team knows just how important it is to have a backup capable of stepping in at a moment’s notice.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports
