The New England Patriots could be considering a blockbuster trade involving quarterback Mac Jones.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported on Tuesday that the Patriots have shopped their former first-round draft pick to multiple teams with the potential destinations being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders and Houston Texans.
A trade hasn’t come to fruition, yet, but it’s also possible for something to come together heading into the 2023 NFL draft. Florio wrote:
Obviously, a trade hasn’t occurred yet. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen. A team hoping to draft a quarterback could pivot to Jones, if that team doesn’t get the guy it wants.
This news comes off the heels of the rumors regarding the Patriots and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. It has already been reported that the Patriots aren’t expected to pursue Jackson, but if they did move on from Jones, they’re going to need a new franchise quarterback to replace him.
Would they consider drafting a quarterback or pivoting to backup Bailey Zappe? Or, will they actually go after a proven veteran like Jackson, assuming Jones actually gets moved.
Robert Kraft has sung Jones’ praises, but this wouldn’t be the first Patriot Kraft has liked that has been subject to trade talk. As with the Jackson trade talk, the Patriots owner deferred to Bill Belichick.
It’s hard to envision him not doing the same with Jones, too.
