Patriots Trade QB Mac Jones? ‘Chatter’ at Combine Suggests Raiders Move

The New England Patriots are entering 2023 with some questions at the quarterback position. Would they consider trading starter Mac Jones to Josh McDaniels and the Las Vegas Raiders?

FOXBORO — Might a Josh McDaniels-Mac Jones reunion be brewing in the Nevada desert? 

Accordingly to a Sunday morning report from ESPN, “chatter” at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine from earlier this week suggests that McDaniels and his Las Vegas Raiders might be tempted to tap the New England well to fill the void at quarterback.  

Following their decision to release veteran starter Derek Carr, the Raiders were considered the top suitor for the services of Green Bay Packers franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

However, when Rodgers emerged from his visit to a pseudo-Fortress of Solitude to mull his future, the Raiders had apparently decided to seek alternative options — one of which is reportedly kicking the tires in reuniting McDaniels with his former Pats pupil. 

Make that two former Pats pupils.     

“If they can’t get him (Rodgers), a lot of people in Indianapolis this week expect McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler to pursue free agent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, whom they know from his time in New England early in his career,” Graziano wrote. “There’s also some chatter that McDaniels might try to acquire Mac Jones from the Patriots, though it seems unlikely New England would consider moving the 2021 first-rounder.”

With all due respect to Garoppolo, let us first examine the Jones connection. 

On the surface, a reunion between Jones and McDaniels makes a great deal of sense. Under the tutelage of his ‘ex-OC,’ Jones performed well at the team’s helm in his rookie season. He led all rookies with a 67.6 completion percentage and a 92.5 passer rating, while compiling 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns. He completed at least 70 percent of his attempts in nine of New England’s games and twice threw for 300-plus yards through the air. In addition to his selection to the Pro Bowl, he also earned a spot on the PFWA's All-Rookie team.

Despite entering the season on the heels of an impressive rookie campaign, Jones struggled to rekindle his previous success in 2022. The 24-year-old displayed notable discomfort in New England's new offensive system, directed by offensive play caller Matt Patricia and quarterbacks coach Joe Judge.

On a more positive note, New England’s new ‘OC,’ Bill O’Brien, is known for employing an offensive scheme which features ball protection, efficient running and spreading the ball to multiple pass catchers. Jones remains the best steward for this offense. He has proven his ability to create plays by leading his receivers under the defense, releasing the ball quickly and delivering it accurately. This will give his playmakers the space they needed to catch and run with the football. Not only will it put points on the board, it will also help to keep him ahead of the blitz and out of duress.

But, is it enough to keep him in New England? 

For the Patriots to consider moving Jones, they would have to be certain that their next option under center could not only handle the duties, but also execute them with greater efficiency than their current starter. 

The potential of Draft prospects such as Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson or Kentucky’s Will Levis is notable, but ultimately uncertain. 

Alabama’s Bryce Young is slightly more intriguing, as he has a closer connection to O’Brien than that of Jones, having played under him for the Crimson Tide in 2022.  

Still, it is worth noting that none of the aforementioned players will be available when the Patriots are first scheduled to select at No. 14 overall. Any deal with the Raiders would need to include capital worthy of allowing New England to trade up for their selection. 

As for the veteran route, Garoppolo is the strongest logistical fit. Since the Patriots drafted him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft (No. 62 overall), speculation has run rampant that head coach Bill Belichick had hand-selected Garoppolo as the heir-apparent to Tom Brady’s New England dynasty. Though the Eastern Illinois product is far from elite, he led the San Francisco 49ers to a 44-19 record (including playoffs) record, as well as a berth in Super Bowl LIV since being acquired via trade with the Pats in 2017. 

While the Patriots would not be forced to surrender either current personnel, or Draft capital to acquire him as a free agent, the team must ask itself whether a 31-year-old Jimmy G offers more of an upside than a 24-year-old Mac Jones?

Perhaps the better question may be wether McDaniels is better-suited to utilize the additional veteran savvy provided by Garoppolo in helping to re-vitalism a team with significant talent on its roster — including dynamic wideout Davante Adams? 

In all fairness, that is a decision that alone belongs to McDaniels and Las Vegas general manager Dave Ziegler. 

In the final analysis, it appears that New England will take their chances to Jones as the starter heading into training camp. Despite an impressive two-game stint as a temporary starter in his rookie campaign, Bailey Zappe is a largely unproven commodity. The team has also decided to part ways with veteran backup Brian Hoyer. 

Conversely, Jones has all the pieces in place to make significant progress in 2023. With an invigorated work ethic, experienced offensive coaches to guide him and a seal of approval from team owner Robert Kraft, he is seemingly getting all he needs from the organization to be successful. 

McDaniels and the Raiders may need a new quarterback.

Nevertheless, it does not automatically mean that it would be good business for the Patriots to provide them with one without a proper return on investment. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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