Raiders Targeting Patriots Quarterback Mac Jones?

After cutting Derek Carr could the Las Vegas Raiders look to trade for New England Patriots' quarterback Mac Jones?

The Las Vegas Raiders need a quarterback after cutting veteran Derek Carr. Following a recent report from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, could the New England Patriots Mac Jones be a realistic target? 

That is what Yardbarker reasons after Breer that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick would "consider" trading Jones. 

"I don't think that head coach Bill Belichick appreciated the way Mac handled some stuff last year," Breer told WBZ-FM in Boston on Thursday. "I think they would consider [trading Jones]."

Would the Patriots really consider trading Mac Jones to the Raiders?@AlbertBreer joins @ZoandBertrand to react to reports that Josh McDaniels may be interested in acquiring the QB 👀

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— Patriots Coverage on NBCS Boston (@NBCSPatriots) February 16, 2023

The obvious connection between a quarterback-needy Raiders and Jones is head coach Josh McDaniel, the former long-time Patriots offensive coordinator, who presided over Jones' rookie year, his best season. 

Although the Raiders are commonly linked with bigger names like Aaron Rodgers or Jimmy Garopolo, Jones could make a lot of sense and be a longer-term option than Rodgers and arguably present more upside than Garopolo. 

While a one-year sample size may not be enough to convince the Raiders to trade for Jones instead of the two veterans, it should be noted that the one season together saw Jones make the Pro Bowl and take the Patriots to the NFL Playoffs. 

As for the New England side of things, if the true belief in the building is that there isn't a "massive gap" between Bailey Zappe and Jones, then recouping a potential first-round pick in exchange for Jones would be a great consolation prize. 

The huge wild card in this rumor is the thoughts of Bill O'Brien, the new offensive coordinator; what does he think of Jones in comparison to Zappe? Currently, all O'Brien has to go off of is last season's film. 

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