ESPN lists Mac Jones among NFL players who need a change of scenery the most
Mac Jones is one of 32 players that ESPN identified as a strong candidate for a fresh start elsewhere.
ESPN posted a list of 32 NFL players who could benefit the most from a change of scenery.
The list featured one player per team, and quarterback Mac Jones was the pick for the Patriots.
“It isn’t out of the question that Jones could revive his career in New England,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote. “Perhaps taking off with a boost of confidence from first-year coach Jerod Mayo, like Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa experienced with Mike McDaniel in 2022 — but a case could also be made that a fresh start is best for both sides.”
“Similar to the 49ers receiving a fourth-round pick from the Cowboys in a trade for QB Trey Lance, the expectation is that Jones would have value if he is moved elsewhere,” Reiss added. “Whether the Patriots do so probably depends on whether they sign a veteran free agent or select a quarterback in the draft.”
Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf, who is serving as the team’s de facto general manager, told reporters Tuesday that he believes this is a good year for quarterbacks in the draft.
Wolf declined to comment on the team’s plan for Jones and Bailey Zappe. When asked what attributes he looks for in a quarterback, Wolf said:
“First of all, being someone that can elevate his teammates, someone that your teammates want to play for. I think that’s an extremely underrated thing that people don’t talk about that much. Leadership’s important, and obviously physical talent. We wouldn’t be talking about these guys if they weren’t physically talented.”
Head coach Jerod Mayo said last month that Jones will have a clean slate as the Patriots evaluate how they plan to upgrade the quarterback position.
The 2021 first-round pick is under contract for one more season before the Patriots must decide whether or not to exercise his fifth year option.
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