With the news this morning that Bailey Zappe will start under center for the New England Patriots on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, questions are swirling about what that means for Mac Jones' future.
The former first-rounder was taken by New England with the 15th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft after a prolific season at Alabama in which he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and set several NCAA records, including completion percentage (77.4).
In his 2020 season at Alabama, Jones also set the NCAA record for passer rating at 203.1. Last Sunday against the New York Giants, Jones had a passer rating of 27.8. If Jones had spiked all 21 passes directly into the ground, his passer rating would have been 39.6. Quite the fall from grace.
Jones had a promising rookie season as the Patriots finished 10-7, including a stretch of seven consecutive wins in the middle of the season. New England earned a playoff berth and Jones made the Pro Bowl. Despite an early playoff exit, the future looked bright for the young signal caller.
Since being knocked out by Buffalo in the Wild Card Playoffs that night, the Patriots have gone in the opposite direction, losing 18 of their last 28 games and trotting out a putrid offense that has only averaged 13.5 points per game this season.
Jones has been right at the center of criticism, and at times rightfully so. Although he is far from the only problem on this 2-9 New England squad, change is coming in Foxborough. For both him and the franchise, a clean break might be for the best.
If Jones and the Patriots do go their separate ways, where does he end up? Here are a few contenders.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oh, what a storyline it would be if Jones leaves New England to find success in Tampa Bay, just like that other former Patriots quarterback.
Baker Mayfield hasn't played well enough to buy himself more time in Tampa Bay, and his contract expires at the end of the year. The team selected former Florida Gators quarterback Kyle Trask in the second round of the 2021 draft, but Trask has only thrown 10 passes in the NFL. The Bucs' decision to sign and start Mayfield over Trask would also indicate that they are not too high on him.
The Buccaneers currently hold the seventh overall pick, so they may be able to scoop up a quarterback in the draft if they decide to go in that direction. Their remaining schedule isn't exactly a gauntlet either (the teams remaining on their schedule have a combined record of 25-41), so a few wins would push them farther down the draft board.
Jones was born and raised in the Sunshine State, so perhaps a return to his roots could reinvigorate him.
Unlike some of the other teams on this list, Tampa Bay lacks a real established offensive mind or quarterback whisperer that could take Mac Jones under their wing. Head coach Todd Bowles has made his money on defense, and offensive coordinator Dave Canales is in only his first season calling NFL plays.
Tampa Bay might show interest in Jones, but there are far better landing spots if he wants to resuscitate his career.
4. New York Giants
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama in 2017 during Mac Jones' time in Tuscaloosa. Although Jones did not start while Daboll was at Alabama (the quarterback room also included Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa), Daboll has an extensive background and experience with him. If Daboll liked what he saw out of Jones on the practice field and in meetings, this might open the door for him.
Jones eventually became a first-team All-American and Heisman finalist at Alabama, so Daboll might take a flyer and hope to tap into the upside that Jones displayed with the Crimson Tide. At the 2022 NFL Combine, the Giants head coach said that he and Jones had built a relationship and that the young quarterback had a "bright future".
New York has invested heavily in quarterback Daniel Jones, who is locked up through the 2026 season as one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. However, Daniel Jones will be coming off a torn ACL so expectations for his 2024 play are littered with question marks.
Rookie quarterback and hometown kid Tommy DeVito has ascended to fan-favorite status with the Giants, but if there is a coach that could find the promise that Mac Jones showed at the college level, it is Daboll. Mac Jones himself has spoken about his desire to return to his playing style from his Alabama days, saying that he wants to get back to being "Alabama Mac".
It would be a shocking development if Mac Jones is the starting quarterback for the New York Giants next season in Week 1, but don't surprised if Daboll reunites with him at least for training camp.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Only a season and a half removed from a Super Bowl title, the Los Angeles Rams are trending in the wrong direction. They limped to a 5-12 record last season and missed the playoffs, the most losses by a defending Super Bowl champion. 2023 hasn't fared too much better, as they enter Week 13 just shy of .500 with a 5-6 record.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford's health has not helped the Rams' cause either. Stafford underwent elbow surgery on his throwing arm during the 2022 offseason, and missed nine games last season between concussions and a season-ending spinal cord contusion. This season, Stafford had to leave Los Angeles' Week 8 loss with a thumb injury. He turns 36 in February.
Stafford ranks 22nd in the NFL in passer rating, so he hasn't exactly been lighting it up even when healthy. Regardless, the Rams can't hang their hopes on the veteran QB moving forward.
Sean McVay (if he doesn't decide to cash his check in the broadcasting booth) is the poster child of the new-age NFL head coach/quarterback whisperer. If a coach can get the most out of Jones and rid him of the poor habits that have put his NFL career in jeopardy, McVay is towards the top of that list. McVay's system doesn't necessitate quarterback mobility as some other systems do, so the pocket passer Jones wouldn't be pushed out of his comfort zone either.
The Rams need a viable insurance policy for Stafford, and Jones needs a fresh start and a proven master of the modern offensive game to take him as a protege. This could work out for both sides.
2. San Francisco 49ers
When San Francisco shipped three first-round picks and a third-rounder to Miami ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft to move up to the third overall pick, the 49ers did so with the idea that they would draft Mac Jones, per Adam Schefter.
Ultimately, San Francisco took North Dakota State product Trey Lance, and Jones fell to the Patriots at 15. Lance was a bonafide bust in the Bay Area, and was traded to Dallas this year after only throwing 102 passes in two seasons.
Now, the Niners might have the chance to add Jones to their roster without sacrificing the arsenal of draft capital that they surrendered in 2021.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme is regarded as quarterback-friendly, to the point that former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky said that if Jones was played for the 49ers, he would be performing at the same level as San Francisco starting QB Brock Purdy.
Orlovsky's hot take aside, Shanahan has maximized the production of Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Purdy. 49ers backup quarterback Sam Darnold will hit free agency after this season, so there might be an opportunity for Jones to back up the former Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy. Shanahan's offense could be beneficial for Jones to restore his confidence as well.
San Francisco was clearly interested in Jones only three years ago coming out of college, but will they be turned off by his poor performance in the last two seasons at the pro level? Or will they throw him a lifeline?
1. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Kirk Cousins went down in Week 8 with a torn Achilles. Cousins' contract is up at the end of the year, and he will be 36 and coming off of a debilitating injury when next season begins. The Vikings would be foolish to place all of their eggs in one basket with Cousins.
Vikings legend Jared Allen doubts that Cousins will even return to Minnesota, given his age and contract situation. At the very least, Minnesota needs a viable backup option for the 2024 season. Although trade acquisition Joshua Dobbs has stopped the bleeding, he will also be a free agent at the season's end and his play hasn't solidified him as any sort of a long-term solution.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is another offensive-minded HC, he was drafted by the Patriots in 2008 and bounced around the league for five years as a depth quarterback. O'Connell pivoted to coaching and served as the offensive coordinator in Washington in 2019 and for the Los Angeles Rams from 2020-21, including their Super Bowl LVI victory.
In the first two seasons with O'Connell, Minnesota has not been shy to throw the ball. Last season, the Vikings ranked third in the NFL in passing attempts per game (39.6), this season they rank fourth (37.4).
Offensive weapons are also aplenty in Minnesota between the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.
A chance to work with a former NFL quarterback-turned-head coach, be surrounded by premier pass-catchers, and sling the ball around around 40 times a game? This should be an attractive landing spot for Jones.
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