Getting something back in exchange for Mac Jones would be a tiny victory for the New England Patriots. That’s how far the quarterback’s stock has plummeted since making the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021, but a contract with the Denver Broncos could see Jones replace nine-time Pro Bowl winner Russell Wilson.
The Broncos “could be interested in Jones,” according to Derrick Klassen of The 33rd Team. He provided an example of “Sean Payton’s apparent frustrations with Russell Wilson is that he couldn’t handle as much pre-snap and in the full dropback game as Payton is used to with his quarterbacks.”
Despite the fact that “Jones has his limitations, too,” according to Klassen, “it’s hard not to see the world where Payton gets out of Jones what he got out of Teddy Bridgewater a while back.”
Shipping Jones for even minimal compensation in the 2024 NFL draft would allow new head coach Jerod Mayo to start over at football’s most crucial position. Mayo can keep his options open even if he drops Jones and backup Bailey Zappe.
Mac Jones Still Has Value
Jones remains valuable as a trade asset, despite losing his job to Zappe last season. No. 10’s slide from grace reflected the Patriots’ overall decline from Super Bowl contenders to also-rans in previous years.
Not all of the difficulties stemmed from Jones’ inability to fully replace Tom Brady. Former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and ex-Special Teams coach Joe Judge replacing Josh McDaniels and taking over the offence in 2022 didn’t help.
Nor did the Patriots discard Jones’ favourite wide receiver, Jakobi Meyers, in favour of signing JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2023. Klassen stated that “none of the comforts and guardrails Jones enjoyed as a rookie remain.”
Middling numbers summarized the lack of comfort level. Jones completed only 224 of 345 throws, for 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also had an on-target percentage of 74.9, the lowest of his three-year career, according to Pro Football Reference.
Jones consistently crumbled under pressure, beyond his dismal results. For example, he threw this pick against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.
Despite his problems, Jones’ game still has some excellent aspects. Positives include a collegiate national championship with Alabama and getting drafted in the top 15 spots.
Jones also understands a pro-style offence and possesses true read-option abilities. These characteristics make the 25-year-old an appealing reclamation project for the appropriate coach.
Payton fits the bill, but will any trade with the Patriots include Wilson?
Russell Wilson, a high-profile veteran option for the Patriots
With the third overall choice in this year’s draft, it’s easy to imagine the Patriots will go with a rookie starting quarterback. However, the veteran market has some fascinating possibilities, the most well-known of which is Wilson.
Wilson won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014, but his career has plummeted since being traded to the Broncos two years ago. What he requires is a return to the run-first system with a play-action and pocket-based passing game that helped him succeed earlier in his career.
The Patriots may provide Wilson with the ideal template. New offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt saw the same concept work for the Cleveland Browns, and he has the personnel to replicate it in New England.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and slot receiver DeMario Douglas would be good fits for Wilson. He has already listed his Denver mansion for sale, according to Thomas Gounley of The Denver Post.
Wilson is acting as if his departure from the Broncos is inevitable. The Patriots have previously been identified as one of the “sleepers” in the race to sign the 35-year-old. It’s something Mayo and Van Pelt should seriously consider.
Wilson is a solid system fit, allowing the Patriots to utilize the third pick to select a marquee pass-catcher such as Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr.
Leave a Reply