New England Patriots quarterback options if Mac Jones is (unlikely) traded
There has been speculation about the New England Patriots possibly trading third-year quarterback Mac Jones. All that is is talk, just talk. It’s highly unlikely to happen.
Yet, the Patriots have been known to do surprising things like trading starting guard Shaq Mason last offseason and letting versatile center and guard Ted Karras leave in free agency for relative peanuts.
The team’s personnel operation has been struggling to find an identity other than being confused and inept, their lack of success in the draft was even publically lampooned by none other than owner Robert Kraft himself.
Some may feel that Jones is untouchable. That’s a fair assessment. He most likely is, especially with a competent offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien now on board. But if the Patriots look to make a move, who would be a good fit?
Let’s look at a few options.
The New England Patriots can promote Bailey Zappe
Bailey Zappe is an option. Zappe comported himself nicely in a replacement role when Jones was injured. So well, in fact, it may have hastened Jones’ return from injury.
Zappe came on for Jones and almost salvaged a win vs. the Green Bay Packers. He then won two additional games before Jones returned.
Zap completed 70.7 percent of his passes and finished with five TDs and 3 INTs in his limited role. He had a stellar quarterback rating of 100.9. Zappe ran the dysfunctional 2022 offense better than Jones.
Some critics opine he only beat two teams with lousy defenses then had passes batted down in the next game. Fine, he needs to avoid those batted passes and an improved offensive line would help immensely.
As for Zappe’s beating teams with poor defenses, dismiss that specious reasoning out of hand. His job is to beat the teams on the schedule. Some have poor defenses. He beat two of them, exactly what he was supposed to do.
Is Zappe ready to take the reigns as a starter from Jones? Who knows, but he just might be. He should be given every opportunity. Any other possible additions at quarterback?
New England Patriots could trade for a quarterback
One option for the New England Patriots would be to trade for a quarterback. A favorite here is Skylar Thompson of the Miami Dolphins. The veil of acrimony was lifted with the Dolphins in the trade of DeVante Parker to the Patriots last offseason. Trading for Thompson may be doable.
Thompson has Tua Tagovailoa ahead of him on the depth cart. Yet, with Teddy Bridgewater a free agent, he’ll likely move up to the primary backup. That’s problematic.
Yet, if the Dolphins will talk trade, it’s worth a look. Thornton is the polar opposite of Jones as a quarterback. He’s not nearly so accurate. Yet, he possesses outstanding escapability in the pocket, a foreign concept to Jones.
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When you have breakdowns in your offensive line, escapability is essential. Thompson’s ability to work his way out of trouble would be a terrific asset to have. For a fourth-round pick (maybe even a third in 2024?) and an added sixth, you make the deal and let him compete.
New England Patriots draft option
A draft option for the New England Patriots could come from the University of Tennessee. That would be Hendon Hooker, rated as the fourth top QB by nfldraftbuzz.com.
Here’s part of what they say about Hooker,
"In 2022 as a senior Hooker saw action in 11 games as he threw for an elite 3135 yards on 331 attempts with a completion percent of 69.2 for an average of 9.5 yards per pass, with an elite 27 TDs, while taking 26 sacks, and totaling a QB rating of 123.9. He added 129 runs for a total of 786 yards at an average of 6.1 per run."
He’s an accurate thrower. He can tote the ball for good yardage. And, he’s a big guy at 6’4″ tall and 218 pounds. thedraftnetwork.com has him as a fourth-round value. If he’s available even in the third, picking Hooker is a no-brainer.
Next. Patriots veteran believes in Mac Jones: ‘He’s the future in New England’. dark
Those are a few options for the team in the quarterback position. What do you think the team should do there?