Mentioned at multiple offseason junctures as a live scenario, the prospect of a Mac Jones trade may be moving closer to reality. Although the Patriots may not be certain to stay at No. 3 and select a quarterback, their three-year starter is unlikely part of the 2024 plan.
On that note, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicates teams have been calling the Patriots as they work on gathering Jones intel this offseason. The Patriots sound receptive to the prospect of moving the former No. 15 overall pick. Trade compensation may be tricky, especially as a host of veteran options are available, but Jones’ 2024 rookie-deal salary will help on this front.
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Jones is tied to a $2.79MM base salary for 2024. That is all an acquiring team would need to pick up if it decided to take a flier on the Alabama alum, who profiles as one of this year’s top players in need of a scenery change. A trade is seen around the NFL as the best option for Jones, and a February report pointed to the Pats being likely to seek a trade partner to unload the young quarterback.
Benched to close last season, Jones did not enjoy an optimal relationship with Bill Belichick. Despite Belichick’s exit, the Pats have a new offensive staff in place. They are expected to strongly consider a quarterback at No. 3 overall while being seen as likely to sign a veteran as well. This equation would not stand to leave a place for Jones, who could be appealing as a backup option elsewhere.
Jones is heading into his age-26 season and doing so on the heels of two down campaigns. The Patriots not replacing Josh McDaniels with a true offensive coordinator drew extensive scrutiny, and Jones — the Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up to Ja’Marr Chase — was unable to put the pieces back together under Bill O’Brien last year. Jones closed the season on the bench, serving as New England’s third-stringer in Belichick’s finale.
The Jets are also trying to unload their underwhelming 2021 first-rounder, Zach Wilson, though that year’s No. 2 overall choice is tied to a pricier salary. The Patriots should have an easier time finding a Jones taker, but the return promises to be minimal considering how the past two years unfolded.
They will be lucky to get a 6th or 7th round pick for him.
Lucky? You mean happy?
Breaking news: Mac has been traded to the Montreal Alouettes for 3 cameras and 7 pump needles and a new massage parlor for Kraft as a pats even I think that’s too much
If Bucs don’t come to an agreement with Mayfield I can see them taking a chance on Wilson or Jones as a change of scenery candidate given their cap situation.
lol…. No, they aren’t… this is pure pats drivel to try to drum up trade interest.
People are going to scoff at anyone wanting to do with Mac Jones, but 1) He looked pretty decent as a rookie three years ago before he got saddled with a clown car coaching the offense, 2) He had a dreadful group of pass catchers, and 3) First round quarterbacks tend to get benefit of the doubt when it comes to teams taking flyers. Heck, Blaine Gabbert still has a job in 2024.
4) He had a terrible offensive line last year. I remember seeing him have pressure on him before a standard 3 step drop back many times.
Keep on making excuses for him…. he was figured out by NFL Defenses mid way through his rookie season. He can’t throw 10 yard passes to the sideline without arc on the ball, so you just take away the middle of the field within the first 10-15 yards, force him to throw over the top or deep sideline outs. It is amazing how any legit football fan can’t see this and keep making the excuses for him.
1) Other teams might think their coaches can do a better job with him on those things than the Pats coaches did. 2) None of us said he would be a star or even a starter, but for $2.79 million, some team is going to think he’s worth a look as at least a backup flyer.
I don’t follow players to that level of detail you laid out, but if that’s true; then it shows how terrible Bill is/was in scouting college players.
He’s terrible. He was propped up in Bama. At the end of his rookie year he already nosedived.
Conspiracy theory: What if the Patriots and Jets are just prank calling each other and there isnt any interest in Mac or Zach?
The phone rings and a artificially deep baritone voice says, “ What would it take to pry Mac Jones from you?”
…Only to break into laughter before hanging up.
The Giants chime in to make it a 3-way call and say “we are interested in having both Jones and Wilson on our roster this season”.
…And they all giggle like kids again.
Denver doesn’t have a lot of options, maybe they should take a chance? That’s about all they can afford after cutting Russell Wilson
Swallow a 6th for him and ship him to Los Angeles to learn from McVay and study under Stafford. That offense could help him tremendously. It makes sense to me
I think it will be rams or 49ers for sure. They both have a lot of extra comp picks and could use a cheap option as backup. Plus for Jones there aren’t too many better coaches to learn from and try to rebound his career than those two.
Exactly. Wentz is a free agent too. Stetson is damn near off the grid. McVay. QB weapons with Kyren phenomenal year and rising star Nacua. It makes sense. Stafford has like 1-2 good years left too. Mac could have a major comeback. Poor kid been dumped on in media and online but people can improve and bounce back. People have massive tunnel vision but I’ve seen Mac’s tape. 2021 he did a lot of good things
Did you actually watch him?
Denver makes sense, they have nothing with Russ gone. Mac has shown bits and he played college ball with Jeudy….
Nah rams. He needs to learn under McVay and stafford
A better comp pick for the Babooshka’s
He’s on the Brownies bub
Mac will move on and end up having a good career. Plenty of QBs with less than powerful arms end up having good careers, Mac will also. Feel sorry for the kid…comes in as the successor to TB, has piss-poor coaching, almost no weapons to work with, and fans that expected miracles. Wishing him well in his new situation, my guess is he thrives.
LMAO
He’s a little chitweasel…