After yet another disappointong season, it seems like Patriots QB Mac Jones is no longer the answer in New England. So what now?
After the 2019 NFL season, the New England Patriots dynasty was in question considering the loss of Tom Brady, a six-time Super Bowl Champion with the Pats. New England had gone 19 straight seasons finding the utmost success with the greatest quarterback of all time. The job of quarterbacking this franchise was the most daunting role in sports since the Yankees tried to find Derek Jeter’s replacement at shortstop. Former Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton was tasked with the role as he attempted a comeback back into professional football relevancy after a MVP season in 2015. It was a complete failure and the Patriots missed the postseason for the first time since ‘08.
New England turned to the draft to find their answer, which came in the form of Mac Jones at 15th overall. NFL fans from around the country were instantly filled with immense fear as Jones had been consistently compared to the great Tom Brady. Jones had just come off of a junior season at Alabama that saw him go undefeated, including a 52-24 domination over Ohio State in the National Championship Game. Jones went 36-45 with 464 yards and 5 touchdowns against the Buckeyes, leading his charge to a third-place vote in the Heisman Trophy. Only generational prospect Trevor Lawrence and teammate Devonta Smith finished higher. He was a guy that thrived in the big moments, and he lived for the villain role– much like Brady.
Jones’ rookie year in 2021 is when everybody’s worst fear came true. The Patriots dynasty was in amazing hands and had no intentions of slowing down. He led the team back to the postseason after a 10-7 regular season and put up an incredible 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns. They lost in the wild card round to an unstoppable Josh Allen led Bills squad, but it was great experience for a rookie quarterback. He finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, after an unbelievable rookie campaign from Ja’Marr Chase who had over 1,400 yards and 13 scores. Jones was even named to the 2022 Pro Bowl after a couple AFC quarterbacks opted out, a huge accomplishment for the 23 year old.
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Life couldn’t have been much better for the budding star in the NFL. Then Patriots offensive play caller Josh McDaniels left to become the head coach of the Raiders, leaving Matt Patricia to call plays for Jones and the offense. This was a match made in hell, and Jones regressed in his sophomore campaign. 2022 saw the Patriots missing the playoffs at 8-9, and the young quarterback amassing only 2,997 yards and 14 touchdowns compared to his 11 interceptions. His supporting cast was underwhelming and the offense looked bland, stale, and unable to keep up with the rest of the NFL. Unfortunately, Jones started to show his frustrations, and for the first time in his career, some questions arose about his character and belief in the team.
Jones was working hard to get back on track for the 2023 NFL season, and teammates were excited to see him return to form. Expectations were tempered quickly as Jones and the Patriots got off to a 1-5 start. The defense was playing at a very high level and even ranked 7th in total defense and 4th in rush defense on the season, but the offense couldn’t keep up. Jones led one of the most inept and anemic offenses that we have seen in the NFL. The Patriots finished the year 30th in total offense and tied for dead last in scoring offense after averaging 13.9 points per game. They had 6 games with under 10 points and 12 games with less than 20.
Jones was benched for Bailey Zappe going into Week 13 after being benched four other times mid-game throughout the season. It is one of the worst and most shocking falls from grace that we have seen at the professional level. Jones went from having one of the greatest rookie seasons for a quarterback in NFL history, to legendary head coach Bill Belichick not speaking to his first former round pick within two seasons.
The Patriots finished the 2023 season with a record of 4-13 and Jones ended up with 2,120 yards, to go along with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. A far cry from the numbers he had put up in previous seasons. Jones is in the last year of his rookie contract but is bound to play that out with a different squad. New England brought in a new head coach, and the franchise needs a fresh start. With the third overall pick in the draft this upcoming April, they are in a prime position to take one of the big three quarterbacks. Heisman winner Jayden Daniels is commonly mocked to them at this draft position, and he would bring a dynamic, exciting playmaker into this offense that they have greatly lacked in recent years.
There are rumblings about potentially pursuing a veteran quarterback like Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins to lead the franchise, while drafting blue chip wide receiver prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. to help turnaround the offense. While this would be a great way to quickly turn the Patriots around, now is the time for New England to refresh, rebrand, and rebuild this storied franchise. They cannot pass up the opportunity to snag their next face of the franchise at the top of the draft.
This is a strong quarterback class with the top three guys projected to be game changing talents. If New England can start this new era with the likes of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels leading the charge, they will be in good hands for years to come. They already have the defense in place to win, and now is the time to invest in this offense with their $70 million in cap space. Drafting one of these quarterbacks and a few pass catchers in an incredibly deep receiver class should be the teams top priority on draft weekend. They will need to spend some of that money on keeping their new quarterback upright by bringing in a veteran presence on the offensive line.
This is a Patriots team that is going through a massive amount of change. The quarterback position was never in question with Brady’s 19 year run with the team, and Bill Belichick became one of the greatest head coaches of all time during his 24 year Patriots tenure. They can no longer chase to replicate what they had in the past, but they have to create a new identity. They need an injection of youth and excitement.
This draft will be a turning point for this franchise and Mac Jones will be a casualty of this new change. He had the unenviable task of following the GOAT at the most important position in sports, and now the Patriots will likely move on from the 25 year old. His career is not over and he will likely get traded this offseason to a team hoping he will regain his rookie form. It is on him to prove he still belongs in this ever-evolving league.
