What would a Mac Jones trade look like? Assessing potential proposals for Patriots QB
Could the New England Patriots be looking to move on from quarterback Mac Jones?
Rumors have circled all off-season of the team potentially moving on from the third-year quarterback after a sophomore slump during the 2022-2023 season.
According to writer Mike Florio, sources have told him that the Patriots have shopped Jones this off-season.
ππ₯πππππ‘π: The #Patriots have shopped QB Mac Jones to multiple teams in the 2023 offseason, a source tells Mike Florio. https://t.co/vRovkJCbRX
This comes after there have been multiple reports of lingering tension between Jones and head coach Bill Belichick. According to sources, the Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders, Houston Texans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were listed as potential suitors.
Boston writer Tom Curran wrote in an article that Belichick was agitated with how Jones would yell during games last season.
"Just whatβs left over from Bill being agitated at Mac for, more than anything else β the yelling and the gesticulations during the games was irritating enough. But Chriss Simms alluded to this, and I heard it reaffirmed today. Going outside the building for counsel as to βIs this the way weβre supposed to be doing this?β That really pissed Bill off. As we know, a betrayal, a disloyalty in Billβs mind is almost worse than bad playβ
Tom E. Curran reveals that Coach Belichick was really pissed off at Mac Jones for going outside the building for advice on how to run the offense.
Curran also believes Brian Hoyer was released because he was against the system like Mac. https://t.co/ZC3URuwdQw
If New England were to trade Jones, what could they get in return for him?
It's hard to imagine a team would have to give up a first-round pick in order to acquire Jones. He went 6-8 as a starter last season and had a lower passing rating (84.8) from his rookie season (92.5.)
Here are some potential trade packages that the Patriots could get for Jones:
Mac Jones to the Las Vegas Raiders for their 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
Mac Jones to the Washington Commanders for their 2023 second-round pick and 2024 third-round pick
Mac Jones to the Houston Texans for their 2023 third-round pick and 2024 third-round pick.
All of these trades are hypothetical and are just predictions. It is unknown what Jones' trade value currently is.
Could the New England Patriots enter 2023 with Bailey Zappe as Mac Jones' replacement?
Regardless of whether Mac Jones is traded or not, a serious question for the New England Patriots heading into 2023 is whether or not Jones will be replaced by backup quarterback Bailey Zappe.
Zappe filled in for an injured Jones and started two games for the Patriots last season. He completing 70.7 percent of passes for 781 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in four games, while going 2-0 as a starter.
Coach Belichick is non-comittal on a starter entering the 2023 season.
Who do you think should start for the Patriots at quarterback heading into the 2023 season?