How Patriots reportedly plan on overhauling their quarterback room

Even if Jayden Daniels is drafted by the Patriots, he may be on the sidelines for the 2024 season.

Even if Jayden Daniels lands with the Patriots, he may be on the sidelines for the 2024 season. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle, File)

By Conor Ryan

February 29, 2024

2 minutes to read

The writing has been on the wall for quite some time that the Patriots will target a quarterback through the 2024 NFL Draft — especially with their coveted No. 3 overall pick.

But even if New England emerges from the draft with a potential franchise QB in Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, the Patriots reportedly might look to pair that rookie with a veteran signal-caller.

MassLive’s Mark Daniels, Karen Guregian, and Chris Mason reported on Thursday that the Patriots are planning to overhaul their QB depth chart via a three-step plan this offseason.

“According to multiple sources, the Patriots are planning to draft a quarterback with the No. 3 pick,” Daniels, Guregian, and Mason wrote. “One NFL executive, outside of New England, relayed that it’s widely expected in league circles that quarterbacks will be selected with the first three picks in April. … Drafting a signal caller is only one step in this process.

“According to a source, the Patriots plan on signing a veteran free agent quarterback, too. The team is in no rush to start a rookie immediately and could play that veteran if they think it would benefit the younger quarterback to sit for a season.”

Adding both a promising rookie and a veteran via free agency could serve as the most proactive plan moving forward for a Patriots team in need of a reboot on the offensive side of the ball.

Even though the Patriots could target a proven starter in free agency like Kirk Cousins, it would be a short-term (and expensive) solution for New England, who would have to restart its search for another QB in just a couple of years.

A sterling training camp or preseason from a young QB like Daniels or Maye might accelerate New England’s long-term plans, but adding a veteran quarterback like Jacoby Brissett does give the Patriots a safeguard at such a critical spot on the depth chart.

Much like how the Green Bay Packers sat both Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love for a few seasons before handing them the reins, the Patriots could follow a similar path with one of Daniels/Maye — especially with longtime Green Bay executive Eliot Wolf now leading New England’s scouting department.

Rather than send out a rookie to run an offense that could enter next season with several holes on the O-line and at receiver, a bridge year with a veteran QB could ensure that New England protects its most valuable asset — while potentially securing another top draft pick in 2025.

Along with drafting a QB with pick No. 3 and adding a veteran in free agency, MassLive added that the final step of New England’s plan would be trading Mac Jones this spring for more draft capital.

Jones threw for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions over 11 games this past season, running one of the league’s worst offenses. The Patriots finished 30th in yards (276.2 per game) and tied for last in scoring (13.9 points per game).

Even with Jones’ disastrous season in 2023, a fresh start could benefit the former first-round pick — while New England might still be able to recoup a useful draft pick in any potential deal.

“I could see a team, even if they saw him as a very good backup, trading a fifth-round pick for him,” an executive told Guregian last month. Maybe they could get a fourth-rounder, but it would depend on the time of year, and the team’s situation.”