It would be a little victory for the New England Patriots to receive something in return for Mac Jones. The quarterback’s stock has dropped that much since he was selected for the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021; but, a deal with the Denver Broncos may allow Jones to take Russell Wilson’s position as the team’s nine-time Pro Bowler.
Derrick Klassen of The 33rd Team stated that the Broncos “may be interested in Jones.” “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,” the coach of the Broncos explained in detail.
“It’s hard not to see the world where Payton gets out of Jones what he got out of Teddy Bridgewater a while back,” Klassen believes, even though “Jones has his limitations, too.”
Shipping Jones, even for a little amount of money, in the 2024 NFL draft would enable Jerod Mayo, the new head coach, get a fresh start at the most crucial position in football. Mayo has options even if he decides to cut Bailey Zappe as a backup and Jones.
Mac Jones Still Has Value
Despite losing his position to Zappe in the previous season, Jones is still a valuable trade chip. The decline of No. 10 was similar to the Patriots’ general decline in recent years from Super Bowl contenders to also-rans.
Jones’ failure to properly succeed Tom Brady in the starting lineup did not cause all of the issues. It didn’t help that Josh McDaniels was replaced by former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and former Special Teams coach Joe Judge, who called plays for the offence in 2022.
Additionally, Jones’ preferred wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was not signed by the Pats in 2023, instead JuJu Smith-Schuster was signed. “None of the comfort and guard rails Jones enjoyed as a rookie remain,” as Klassen described it.
A lack of comfort level was encapsulated by mediocre data. Only 224 of 345 throws were completed by Jones, yielding 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. According to Pro Football Reference, he also had the lowest on-target % of his three-year career (74.9).
Jones was more than just a bad player; he faltered under duress every time. similar to the Week 6 touchdown he threw against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Despite his difficulties, Jones’ game still has advantages. Advantages include a history of winning national titles as an Alabama collegiate player and a draft selection among the top 15.
Jones is also proficient in read-option plays and is familiar with pro-style offences. For the proper coach, such qualities make the 25-year-old a fascinating reclamation project.
Payton seems like a good fit, but would Wilson be involved in any deal with the Patriots?
Russell Wilson a High-Profile Veteran Option for Patriots
It’s reasonable to assume that the Patriots will select a rookie quarterback to start the season given that they have the third overall pick in this year’s draft. However, there are numerous intriguing possibilities in the veteran market, Wilson being the most well-known.
After being traded to the Broncos two seasons ago, Wilson, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014, has had a disastrous career. His success earlier in his career came from a play-action, pocket-based passing game, and a return to the run-first scheme.
Wilson could find the ideal model with the Patriots. Alex Van Pelt, the new offensive coordinator, has the personnel to implement the same scheme in New England after witnessing it succeed for the Cleveland Browns.Wilson would be well suited by players such as slot receiver DeMario Douglas and running back Rhamondre Stevenson. Thomas Gounley of The Denver Post reports that he has already listed his mansion in Denver for sale.
Wilson is behaving as though his release from the Broncos is a given. The Patriots were reportedly considered one of the “sleepers” to sign the 35-year-old. Mayo and Van Pelt ought to give it serious thought.
