Patriots Buzz: Derek Carr rumors and some Baker Mayfield thoughts
Is the writing on the wall? Are the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Raiders laying the groundwork for a Mac Jones for Derek Carr swap that would headline the 2023 quarterback carousel in the NFL?
With former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in Vegas, such a deal would help Jones who has regressed without McDaniels in New England. As for Carr, perhaps a change in scenery and playing for Bill Belichick may revitalize his career as a starting quarterback.
Patriots could explore a Mac Jones for Derek Carr swap
According to NFL Media’s Eric Edholm, a trade could help both players and both teams.
"“Belichick has praised Carr multiple times in the past, although the Patriots’ defense did clamp down on Carr in the second half of their wild meeting a few weeks ago,” Edholm wrote, via WEEI. “The shiny object in this trade scenario clearly would be Mac Jones. If the Patriots decide they’ve run the course with Jones at season’s end, there’s arguably no better-equipped coach to resuscitate Jones’ career than McDaniels, who guided him to a Pro Bowl season last year as a rookie in New England.”"
While true, Jones could have just a good a chance to get his game back on track if he stays in New England and Bill O’Brien is ultimately named offensive play caller. That scenario along with an upgrade in weapons could make Year 3 for Mac Jones a career-changing one.
As for Carr in New England. He has shown that he can be a very good quarterback in the NFL, but for the Patriots, one must believe he would only be a short-term option with all the other possibilities out there. This Patriots fan is on the fence about this one.
Patriots could explore signing Baker Mayfield
Another quarterback who should be out there this offseason is Baker Mayfield.
A player the Patriots were rumored to be after when he came out in the draft could be an option after an impressive three-game stint with the Los Angeles Rams. As a quarterback looking to get his NFL career back on track after stints with the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers, Mayfield could be brought in to compete with Jones.
Imagine a Mayfield vs Mac Jones quarterback competition in training camp?
That is indeed something Bill Belichick may just do. NFL Insider Albert Breer feels it’s a possibility and worth exploring.
"“The way I look at his, there’s two benefits to brining in competition,” Breer said during an appearance on NBC Boston’s Early Edition. “Especially if it’s somebody young like Baker Mayfield. Number one, you may find an answer on Mac quicker, on who he’s going to be as a professional and as a player. Number two, this gives you kind of two swings at it. If the goal is to find your quarterback for the next decade, having both Baker Mayfield and Mac Jones in the building, if the talent is comparable, gives you two swings at getting that answer right.”"
Sounds intriguing, but that only has a chance of working with either quarterback if a viable offensive mind is calling plays. In any event, after a solid rookie season, no one was expecting the Patriots to be in the mix for a quarterback heading into this season. But here we are, and at least this time Belichick appears to have a few options, which does include Mayfield.
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Like Carr, the University of Oklahoma alum has had success as a starter in the NFL. With what he has shown with the Rams, a change in scenery, a more stable coaching environment might be what he needs to revitalize his career. While the Patriots’ coaching staff doesn’t seem reliable at all, at least the effect of Belichick could spark the most out of Mayfield.
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In concluding, there are a couple of options out there for the Patriots. The preferred option is just for Mac Jones to get it together the next two games and perhaps into the playoffs. It wouldn’t completely resolve his issues this year, but at least there would be some hope going into the offseason as far as his potential goes.