Mac Jones Trade Rumors: Three ideal landing spots for Patriots QB (to revive his NFL career)
Justin Fields isn’t the only quarterback selected in the 2021 NFL Draft who could be on the trade block once the new league year begins. According to an NFL Media report on Sunday, the Mac Jones era with the New England Patriots may be coming to an end.
After a promising rookie season in 2021, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 Draft has regressed over the last two seasons. That regression hit its height in 2023 when Jones was benched several times in favor of Bailey Zappe, who ended up finishing the 4-13 season as QB1. While some of the blame can be pinned on coaching and personnel, much of the blame rests on the shoulders of Jones himself, which should lead him elsewhere in 2024.
New England Patriots expected to move on from 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones
With the Patriots holding the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team is preparing for a fresh start at the quarterback position. They could either draft one of the top quarterback prospects or take their shot in free agency by going after one of the top veteran free agents. Whichever approach they go in, it doesn’t sound like Mac Jones is a part of the quarterback puzzle in New England.
As NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero & Mike Garafolo reported over the weekend, Jones is expected to be a reclamation project for some other NFL team:
“Even though Bill Belichick is gone, former first-round pick Mac Jones -- who lost the starting role and ended up third string by the end of the 2023 season -- is a trade candidate in the coming weeks and most likely will end up elsewhere for the 2024 season.”
Which NFL teams present the best situation for Patriots quarterback Mac Jones?
In all, Jones did show what he is capable of during his rookie season under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Jones showed off his accuracy during that season but did start to struggle towards the end of his rookie season. Those struggles bled into his sophomore season and escalated even further in his third season in the NFL; a season in which it became obvious Mac Jones wasn’t going to be the man in Foxborough due to his on-the-field mishaps and lack of leadership off the field.
With these trade rumors surfacing, the question is what the Patriots can get for Jones and which team would be the ideal destination for the Alabama product to revive his NFL career. In looking around the league, here are 3 teams and situations that can benefit Mac Jones.