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The New England Patriots appeared to have found their franchise quarterback of the future.
The Patriots selected Mac Jones with the 15th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Jones then lit it up as a rookie, making the Pro Bowl after throwing for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
What a difference a year makes, however.
Between the loss of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and lingering injury troubles, Jones struggled mightily in year two. He threw for just 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while playing only 14 games.
Jones even looked like he was at risk of losing his starting job to rookie Bailey Zappe at one point in the season.
Multiple Patriots veterans, including Julian Edelman and Vince Wilfork, have spoken out about his attitude troubles. And now it appears that New England could well move on from Jones in the offseason.
New England Patriots Open To Exploring Mac Jones Trade Options
Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Breer stated recently that the Patriots could explore trade options for the young quarterback.
“I think they would,” Breer said. “Internally, I don’t know if they see this massive gap between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. I’m not saying they think Bailey’s as good as Mac, but there was some element of Bailey doing what he was coached to do last year that I think gave Bailey the edge to some degree for a little while there.
“So I think it’ll be interesting to see what would happen if a real offer came along. I don’t think a real offer is going to come along, but it’d be interesting to see what would happen if a real offer did come along.” – via NBC Sports
Breer also stated that Jones’ attitude was often a problem with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
“I don’t think Bill appreciated the way that Mac handled some of the stuff last year,” Breer said. “There’s a way that I think Bill thinks a franchise quarterback should conduct himself. And for the most part, (Tom) Brady did conduct himself that way. I think there were certain things in the way that Mac handled his second year as a pro that Bill didn’t appreciate.
Jones won’t just walk for free. As it appears New England isn’t completely done with him. But for the right offer, we may have seen the last of Mac Jones in a Patriots uniform.