The New England Patriots are never not going to be looking at other options, no matter the position or player.
That was something Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh made sure to hammer home when speaking with media members earlier in the week. In many ways, the comments were foreboding for a top 30 pre-draft visit with University of Kentucky quarterback Will Levis on Wednesday.
The news that the Patriots were meeting with a projected first-round pick at the quarterback position started a social media firestorm of speculation that the team might be considering moving on from Mac Jones.
However, Groh’s previous comments add perspective to what the Patriots were probably thinking with the Levis visit.
“We had a pretty good quarterback for a long time,” said Groh, per MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “I was an area scout and nobody said, ‘Don’t worry about evaluating these quarterbacks.’ Don’t worry about that guy at San Jose State. Don’t worry about that guy at Miami.’ We evaluate every position. Quarterbacks (are) certainly a very important position if not the most important position.”
If the Patriots were looking at other talent when Tom Brady was still under center, that’s obviously going to continue with Jones as the starter as well. However, this appears to be more of a timing issue than anything.
There has been plenty of talk of a shaky situation behind the scenes between Jones and coach Bill Belichick, following a disappointing 2022 season. Could Belichick already be looking for an exit ramp off the Jones highway after only two years of working together? And would he do so by selecting another quarterback with the No. 14 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft?
It honestly seems sort of fast, even with all of the reported drama.
The more likely scenario is the Patriots doing their homework on Levis just in case if he falls down the draft board. It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened to a player. New England is simply preparing for every scenario at a draft that will ultimately shape their present and future.
