As Bill Belichick continues this spree of noncommittal offerings about his quarterback position — one that has seen Mac Jones repeatedly benched — the Patriots will have their eye on what could be a pivotal offseason at the position.
It is not fully known if the Pats will move on from the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach, who has already been connected to a few teams, but New England obviously knows its current QB situation will not cut it for 2024. Jones may be playing out the string for the Pats, who will almost definitely pass on the struggling passer’s fifth-year option.
Jones would enter a 2024 contract year in that scenario, but it is also possible the Pats simply move on from the former first-round pick. (Jones is tied to a guaranteed $2.79MM in 2024 base salary.) The team is likely to add a quarterback both in free agency and the draft next year, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. A two-pronged approached would be about reconstructing the position, per Fowler, but one avenue stands to take precedence.
With the loss to the Giants, the Patriots plummeted to 2-9. With six games remaining, New England sits third in the 2024 draft order — behind Chicago (via Carolina) and Arizona. The No. 3 choice could be enough to land the draft’s second-best signal-caller, but given the demand at quarterback, the ’24 class’ second-best option will be a live candidate to go second overall. QBs have gone first and second in a draft four times since 2015.
While the Cardinals and Bears represent variables due to Kyler Murray and Justin Fields‘ statuses, both are in play to draft QBs in Round 1. The Cards, as they were this year, could also be a gateway into the top three — should Arizona’s new regime still back Murray next year — via a trade. Moving parts exist, but with no NFL lottery in place, more losses piling up for the Patriots would form a direct route to landing a top QB prospect. The team inched into the 2021 draft at quarterback, waiting on Jones to fall to No. 15. The Pats will have a chance to choose a passer earlier in 2024.
The free agent market will include several backup options. While some signed two-year deals this offseason, Sam Darnold, Jacoby Brissett, Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, Teddy Bridgewater and Joshua Dobbs are among the options to fill in as a bridge player or a true backup. Given the injuries to starters this season, it would not surprise to see the QB2 market increase come free agency.
Gardner Minshew and Baker Mayfield would represent higher-end bridge options, with Ryan Tannehill potentially dropping into that boat after his midseason benching. Kirk Cousins resides as the top free agency option. As of now, the Vikings look like the favorites there. The Pats’ draft position also would point to a stopgap free agent or backup supplementing a rookie — as opposed to a veteran as the answer for a team in need of significant upgrades on offense.
Belichick’s status will hover over all of this. As the losses increase, the chances of the Patriots either forcing the legendary sideline presence out or trading his rights elsewhere seemingly increase. Belichick’s extension is believed to run through only 2024.
Lmao Mariota. That’s funny
This is just another reason why Bill getting fired is just speculation to me.
He gets another chance to draft his QB.
I don’t think it’s happening just yet.
Although a year like this again makes it way mire likely for next year.
I don’t see how he keeps GM duties though.
It doesn’t matter if Bill drafts a new QB because his O line and WR corp are disasters as well. Mac can’t do a 3 step drop w/o being pressured or sacked.
Williams, MHJ, and Maye seem to be the clear 1-3 right now, not necessarily in that order. The Pats have to take any of those 3, then get a QB in Rd2 (if they get MHJ in Rd1) and then load up on OL. Pick up a WR via trade or FA if available.
Is it just me or has there been a recent increase in “water is wet” articles?
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The loss to the Giants was a good thing for the Patriots.
This.
What an epiphany. Who would have guessed a team with zero useful QBs would want to draft or use free agency to add one?
So you are saying, that a team that uses 2 quarterbacks, whom have been throwing interceptions in more than 60% of their games, may want a new quarterback?
Anyone but Caleb the Crybaby. BB drafts him, he deserves to be canned.
They should move on from Belichick, first and foremost. I’m not saying they don’t need a QB, but it doesn’t make a ton of sense to let Belichick make the call as to who that guy should be. He already whiffed on Jones.
Even if you believe there is a chance Belichick makes the right selection, realistically, how much longer does he coach? Changing systems a few seasons into a young QBs development doesn’t do wonders for it.
Does anyone trust Bill to develop a QB? This is the same HC that had the arrogance to place guys as OC that had never done the job before.
The Patriots problems run deeper than QB.
I would look to trade the pick for two first rounders in this year’s draft and rebuild the O line. FA QB to sign and draft a QB in the later round. Keep Jones for one more year and sign a #1 WR free agent.