It’s been a rough three seasons for Mac Jones, and a change of surroundings outside of the Patriots could advantage the 25-year-old.
The Athletic’s Chad Graff and Jeff Howe on Thursday launched a report on what they’ve heard in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, and buying and selling away Jones was viewed in NFL circles as “a at the same time really useful move.”
“People close to the crew stated Mac Jones should benefit from leaving the scar tissue that has constructed up with the Patriots over three offensive coordinators in three years, negative play and various benchings,” The Athletic reported. “And the Patriots appear eager to commence a new chapter with a younger quarterback who would possibly be higher served with an older, veteran backup who’s enthusiastic about assisting the younger quarterback understand the game and life as a professional.”
Jones had a promising rookie season, but his sophomore season was a catastrophe with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge at the helm, and his 2023 was once worse after he reportedly misplaced believe in the locker room and with Bill Belichick.
Alex Van Pelt would be Jones’ fourth offensive coordinator in as many seasons, and while the first-year play-caller saved the door open for the Alabama product, a move some other place should be in the cards.
Director of scouting Eliot Wolf, who may have thrown a shot at Jones on Tuesday, seemed to suggest New England is interested in deciding on a quarterback with the 1/3 universal pick, and the Patriots could sign a veteran like Jacoby Brissett or Joe Flacco in view that they have familiarity with Van Pelt.
Jones nonetheless has believers throughout the league, and the Patriots could ship him off to one of these groups to both resurrect his profession as a starter or spend a season as a backup.
The Patriots are not likely to pick out up his fifth-year option, and they should discover the trade market to collect as a good deal return returned in a attainable Jones deal.
