Patriots Rumors: Why Bill Belichick wouldn’t dare trade Mac Jones

Would the New England Patriots consider trading Mac Jones prior to the 2023 NFL season?

The rumors are out there that there about Jones going to the Las Vegas Raiders to reunite with his former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, but how realistic would a trade be in 2023, especially since the team has gone out and hired Bill O’Brien?

Well, when it comes to Bill Belichick there is always a chance.  With quarterbacks on the free agent market that he loves like Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield, the coach would have no problem shipping Mac Jones out of town if he saw an upgrade out there.

Then, there is always the potential of trading for Aaron Rodgers.

So, as far as quarterbacks there are options for Belichick, but as MMQB’s Albert Beer eloquently revealed during an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand” on Thursday, the way Jones conducted himself in his second season by outwardly showing his dismay towards Patriots play callers pretty much has Jones on Belichick’s short list.

NFL Rumors: If the price is right, Patriots would trade Mac Jones

If a team like the Raiders gave the team a good offer, well…

"“I think they would,” Breer said, via NBC Sports Boston. “Internally, I don’t know if they see this massive gap between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. I’m not saying they think Bailey’s as good as Mac, but there was some element of Bailey doing what he was coached to do last year that I think gave Bailey the edge to some degree for a little while there.“So I think it’ll be interesting to see what would happen if a real offer came along. I don’t think a real offer is going to come along, but it’d be interesting to see what would happen if a real offer did come along.”"

There wouldn’t be many Patriots fans devastated if Mac Jones was moved, but the young quarterback does deserve a chance to prove himself in a third season under a real offensive coordinator.  He also deserves a chance to prove that he has grown from his regression on and off the field in Year 2.

Jones also has the endorsement of Patriots owner Robert Kraft which would get in the way of Belichick pulling the trigger on a Mac Jones deal…one would think.  The argument against that is if Kraft couldn’t stop Belichick from allowing Tom Brady to walk out the door, how and why would he get in the way of his head coach/general manager getting rid of a whiney, young quarterback who hasn’t proved anything yet in the NFL?

Well, coming off an 8-9 season in which Belichick’s decisions were a major factor in the team not making the playoffs in 2022 comes in to play.  That “In Bill We Trust” motivator has lost its mojo, not only amongst fans and players, but also Kraft himself.

Unless there is a greater plan at play, a plan that will make the New England Patriots a better team in 2023 and beyond, Kraft won’t be on board.  At this point Belichick is on thin ice and he won’t dare trade Mac Jones without the owner’s approval.

So, if Kraft is loyal to Jones, he isn’t going anywhere…at least in 2023.