Trade Talk: Would Patriots Mac Jones Be Good Fit For Raiders' Josh McDaniels?

New England's coach refuses to endorse Mac Jones, and Las Vegas' coach needs a new quarterback.

After a disappointing season of injuries, incompetent coaching, job limbo, regression and a losing record, Mac Jones is apparently excited to put 2022 in the past.

The New England Patriots' quarterback has a new offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien. He has the full support of owner Robert Kraft. He has analytics on his side suggesting he is one the NFL's most efficient passers when provided a clean pocket. And before the Kansas City Chiefs finished their Super Bowl parade he was already posting videos of workouts on his mechanics and strength with a former league quarterback.

Way premature to consider Jones cozy as quarterback and captain of the 2023 Pats, however. Partly because his current coach refuses to fully endorse him. And partly because his old coach needs a new quarterback.

At the end of last season Bill Belichick merely shrugged when given opportunities to defend Jones for what critics were labeling his "dirty" play, and to rubber-stamp him as the starting quarterback heading into 2023.

How's this for a vote of confidence?

"Mac has the ability to play quarterback in this league," Belichick said the week after New England's season-ending loss to Buffalo in January. "We all have to work together to find the best way as a football team, obviously quarterback is a big position, to be more productive.”

While Belichick is tepid on Jones, Las Vegas Raiders' boss Josh McDaniels is in the market for quarterback.

The Raiders released Derek Carr this week, and McDaniels - the long-time Patriots' offensive coordinator - may look to work with someone with whom he is familiar. Like Jarrett Stidham? Like Jimmy Garoppolo? Like Jacoby Brissett? Like ... Mac Jones?

Under McDaniels, Jones made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and led New England to a 10-7 record and the playoffs. Bailey Zappe went 2-0 as a starter filling in for Jones last season. So ...

If McDaniels offers, will Belichick take that call?

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