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Patriots news: Mac Jones talks McDaniels; Michael Thomas rumors

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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While Mac Jones was doing the “Griddy” and dancing around at the Pro Bowl, the New England Patriots were dancing around the idea of who their next offensive coordinator should be, if there even will be a next offensive coordinator.

With Josh McDaniels taking the head coaching job with the Las Vegas Raiders, Belichick will have to decide on who replaces the long-time coordinator.  The obvious choice would be to bring back Bill O’Brien, who Jones knows quite well from his days at Alabama.

Mac Jones has no preference on who the next Patriots offensive coordinator is

However, with Belichick bringing in former New York Giants head coach Joe Judge as an offensive assistant, that idea seems up in the air.  Whatever the team does, Jones isn’t concerned about having a different offensive coordinator going into the season.  If fact, he has grown accustomed to changes in his young career.

"“It’s not my first rodeo with dealing with a new coordinator,” Jones told NBCSportsBoston.com.  “At Alabama.  I think back to all the different guys I’ve worked with and I have a lot of experience with learning a new – we’re going keep the same system but, you know, new terminology here and there.  I know coach [Bill] Belichick will have a plan, and I’m looking forward to working just getting better as a player regardless of who’s out there with us.”"

Following an impressive rookie season orchestrated by McDaniels, Jones says he has no preferences as to who the next offensive coordinator with the Patriots is.  His biggest growth will come with his offseason progression and the weapons surrounding him in 2022.  Perhaps, without McDaniels, Mac Jones will be unleashed a bit in his second season in the NFL.

NFL rumors: Patriots should keep an eye on Michael Thomas

When it comes to possible weapons, a name out there when it comes to NFL trade rumors is New Orleans Saints standout wide receiver Michael Thomas.

In missing the entire 2021 season due to injuries, Thomas is a name to watch because he hinted at some unhappiness in New Orleans.  Now with Sean Payton no longer at the helm and the team unsettled at the quarterback position, would trading Thomas be best for the Saints?

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Saints very much have Thomas in their plans for the 2022 NFL season.

"“It seems the curiosity and saga surrounding Michael Thomas, the Saints’ standout receiver, is coming to a close in a positive way for all parties,” Rapoport reported, via NFL.com.  “he’s spent considerable time in New York after another setback with his [ankle], getting weekly treatments.  That’s where he has been really since the regular season ended. …He is back in New Orleans now, he’s been communicating with the team.”"

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That is good news now if you are a Saints fan, but situations and emotions seldom change quickly in the NFL which means no one can rule out a trade or release after June 1, which would save the Saints close to $15.8 million.

If he is made available, the Patriots will certainly be in the mix as he is the type of explosive player the team needs.  Like Calvin Ridley, a change of scenery may be what Thomas needs.  Why not in Foxbrough?

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