As the New England Patriots start preparing for their new era without Bill Belichick, is it possible that quarterback Mac Jones could remain part of the team’s plans?
New offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt isn’t ruling anything out.
“Right now, everything is on the table.” Van Pelt said Wednesday via Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal.
"Right now, everything is on the table." – Alex Van Pelt when asked if he could envision Mac Jones as the team's starting QB this fall.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) February 21, 2024
The Patriots currently hold the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It seems increasingly more likely that the Chicago Bears will be selecting a quarterback first overall. Depending on what the Washington Commanders do with the second pick, the Patriots may have their choice between Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, depending on which one the Bears don’t take.
However, if both Chicago and Washington take quarterbacks, New England’s decision gets a bit tougher. Do they take standout wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr? Do they also take a quarterback, likely 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels? Or perhaps in free agency, the Patriots will pony up and sign Kirk Cousins or another quarterback on the market.
Jones has had no shortage of struggles in his short NFL career. In 42 career games with the Patriots, he’s thrown 46 touchdown passes to 36 interceptions. He’s been in the top 10 in the league in interceptions in each of his first three seasons. He also was benched for the final six games of the 2023 season in favor of Bailey Zappe.
