It’s possible that Mac Jones has taken his last snap with the Patriots. Originally drafted in 2021 with high expectations to lead the team into the post-Tom Brady era, alongside head coach Bill Belichick, Jones has faced difficulties in meeting those expectations. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, teams have expressed interest in acquiring Jones as the Patriots begin the first year of Jerod Mayo’s tenure as head coach. Despite Jones’ initial success, including a Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 and a runner-up finish for the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year, he now finds himself potentially on the trading block, entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Reports suggest that the Patriots are open to the idea of trading Jones, a notion supported by comments from Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who recently stated that “everything is on the table” as the team plans for 2024.
During the troubled 2023 season, Jones struggled, being benched four times and finishing with a 2-9 record as a starter. His performance saw a decline, with only 10 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions and a career-low completion rate of 64.9 percent.
Complicating matters further, the Patriots have another quarterback option in Bailey Zappe, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 Draft. Zappe, although less experienced, showed promise during his six starts in 2023, despite the team finishing with a 4-13 record for the season.
With the Patriots holding the third overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, they have significant decisions to make regarding their quarterback situation as they navigate through the offseason uncertainties.
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