Former Alabama quarterback [autotag]Mac Jones[/autotag] was given the impossible task of replacing the legendary [autotag]Tom Brady[/autotag] in New England after being selected No. 15 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Things appeared to be working as Jones was named as Pro Bowler for the 2021 season and posted a 10-7 record while completing 67.6% of his passes for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns to 13 interceptions.
Unfortunately, the next two seasons have not quite gone according to plan in Foxborough as the team has gone 12-22 over that span and fired long-time head coach Bill Belichick. As the quarterback, most of the blame has fallen on the shoulders of Jones, despite the fact they have had one of the poorer rosters in the league for a few years now. In fact, it was part of the reason Brady left the Patriots in the first place.
Jones has been in and out of the lineup for the past season or two in favor of backup Bailey Zappe and it is getting to a point where both sides could probably use fresh starts. There have been stories of Jones getting into arguments with players and coaches, while the team has also not done him any favors. Now, with a new coach in town Jerod Mayo, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that both sides are trending in the direction of a fresh start.
There are no shortage of teams in the NFL who could use a quarterback right now and I believe there is still a lot to like about Jones. He is still on a rookie contract, you wouldn’t have trade much for him and he still has the upside of a first round pick.
The #Patriots appear open to trading QB Mac Jones and teams have been calling them and doing work on the former starter, sources say. With a new coaching staff, a fresh start may make sense for all sides. pic.twitter.com/UQtUoKZT8m
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2024
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