All is not well in the world of the New England Patriots.
In fact, it appears like the organization has reached a crossroads at the quarterback position.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported on Tuesday that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has shopped the team’s starting quarterback, Mac Jones, to multiple quarterback-needy teams this offseason. According to Florio, the full list of potential destinations isn’t known but Belichick has reportedly made calls to the Raiders, Texans, Buccaneers and Commanders.
A trade hasn’t occurred yet and based on the four above-mentioned team’s offseason moves — Jimmy Garoppol0 (Raiders), Case Keenum (Texans), Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) and Jacoby Brissett (Commanders) — a trade for Jones seems unlikely at this point. Though, that could change at any point, especially with the 2023 NFL Draft just a couple of weeks away.
There has been tension between Jones and Belichick, as the 24-year-old quarterback reportedly called members of the Alabama coaching staff, in order to get information to properly run the offense under Matt Patricia, a long-time defensive coach. According to Tom Curran of NBC Sports, it “really pissed Bill off” that Jones sought outside counsel. It should be noted that Belichick and Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban are close friends.
As the tension between the two could reach a boiling point, the NFL world reacted to the insane Patriots news on social media:
Belichick didn’t get along with Brady at the end and now it’s Mac Jones. Will he be here next year. Hoyer was dismissed because he didn’t like The outlandish Coaching situation last year with Patricia and Judge
— Upton Bell (@uptonbell) April 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/justinnails/status/1643283345353129985?s=20
Did he shop or take calls? That would mean a world of difference to me. https://t.co/2bcFrww5wa
— Jimmy Talks Pats (@JimmyTalksPats) April 4, 2023
If Bill Belichick really was shopping Mac Jones, maybe he should look at the people he hired to make Mac a successful quarterback. Matt Patricia and Joe Judge aren't exactly offensive geniuses.
— Capt. Marchy (@TheMaster_Plan_) April 4, 2023
The fact that this could even be a discussion is tremendously dysfunctional. And what’s worse: Mac Jones looking bad/asking for outside help last year is largely Belichick’s fault. https://t.co/CycY1aQaLe
— Khari Thompson (@kdthompson5) April 4, 2023
Remember when Bill couldn’t get Mac back fast enough to replace Zappe? This is a Belichick leak and a shot at the owner, who is a fan of the current QB1. https://t.co/DO9EHZLRe9
— Jon Wallach (@KenGriffeyRules) April 4, 2023
Already trying to reset a year after making the playoffs with a rookie quarterback? That would not be a great look. https://t.co/xHZGDu4XWh
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) April 4, 2023
The Patriots shipping off Mac Jones, then entering the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes would be such a Jets thing to happen. https://t.co/4lI2o84lnZ pic.twitter.com/NOZrn0d5uH
— Greg Williams (@GregWilliams28) April 4, 2023
Puts Mac Jones with Matt Patricia.
Doesn’t like that Jones has his own QB coach after.
Allegedly shops him.
Bill Boeheim. https://t.co/FcGuaYIIxM— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) April 4, 2023
This is something. The #Patriots have been dangling QB Mac Jones in trade talks.
From Florio:
“Belichick has shopped Jones to multiple teams during the 2023 offseason… The Raiders are the ones to keep watching.” https://t.co/xfk4W7hSPx
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) April 4, 2023
[Pro Football Talk, Jones & Mego with Arcand]
