5 intriguing New England Patriots storylines that will define 2022 offseason

No. 2: Is Mac Jones the answer for the New England Patriots?

The bright spot of the 2021 NFL season for the New England Patriots is that they appear to have their quarterback of the future.

Leading the team to a 10-8 record and a playoff appearance was not too shabby for Mac Jones as a rookie.  As a player who was drafted in the right situation, Jones really lived up to expectations and obviously played the best amongst the top rookie quarterbacks selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Jones finished his rookie campaign with a 67.6 completion percentage while throwing for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.  He did make rookie mistakes, but overall, he did what his coaches wanted him to do as the emphasis was to have the defense and running attack protect him, especially earlier in the season.

But, as he hit his rookie wall late in the season, questions did arise as to how far Mac Jones can take the team as far as his physical talent goes.  Patriots’ haters like “First Things First” co-host Nick Wright used every mistake to harp on every reason Belichick didn’t trust the rookie, but others like Colin Cowherd wondered if the Patriots won’t use the success of Jones as trade bait for something bigger.

That something bigger is Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Would that even be a possibility?  As much as the Patriots will say Mac Jones is their man, the Watson rumors will be floating all offseason until the talented quarterback finds a new home.  If that is in Foxborough, Belichick would certainly set the NFL ablaze.  Perhaps more shocking would be the team moving on from Jones and his rookie contract after just one season.