The Patriots don’t plan on picking up Mac Jones’ fifth-year option by the May deadline, which shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The hope would be to trade the quarterback, if they can get a good enough deal for the 2021 first round pick.
At this point, it’s hard to know what they’d consider an acceptable return for Jones, who is heading into his fourth season. Speaking with one NFL executive, the Patriots are looking at landing a mid-round pick if they’re lucky.
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“I could see a team, even if they saw him as a very good backup, trading a fifth-round pick for him,” said the executive. “Maybe they could get a fourth-rounder, but it would depend on the time of year, and the team’s situation.”
Trey Lance, who was selected third overall by the 49ers in the same draft as Jones, was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth round pick.
Of course, Jones had a very good rookie year. Lance doesn’t have anything remotely close to that on his resume.
But when the Cowboys acquired him last year, Lance had two years left on his rookie deal, plus the fifth-year option.
Jones only has a year left, which alters the dynamic, and in turn, the possible return.
“Trey Lance never had a season like Mac had,” the executive said, “but he also had a couple of years of control on his contract which is a big deal making a trade.”
The market for Jones might not materialize until after the draft when teams will have a better idea how their quarterback situation stacks up. It might also extend into training camp, when injuries occur, and the need magnifies.
Jones is most likely going to have to start over as a backup with some team. And, there are already a few places where he might draw interest.
If Kirk Cousins re-signs with Minnesota, he would fit Kevin O’Connell’s profile of a top backup there. Same in LA with Sean McVay and the Rams, who wound up signing Carson Wentz late in the year to be the No. 2 behind Matthew Stafford.
There are also teams that were high on Jones coming out of college. The NFC champion 49ers fall into that category. Kyle Shanahan was a fan of the Patriots quarterback. So he might also be looking for more help behind Brock Purdy.
Sam Darnold is currently Purdy’s backup, but he only signed a one-year deal ($4,500,000) with the team. Denver is another possibility with the expectation of Sean Payton, who liked Jones pre-draft, moving on from Russell Wilson.
Jones has a base salary of $2,785,412 for the 2024 season. If the fifth-year option kicks in, Jones would make something in the neighborhood of $30,000,000 for that season. The Patriots aren’t going to touch that, and other teams who might be inclined to trade for him won’t have to consider it.
“I definitely think he’ll have a market. It seems like it’s been a rough go for him the past two years,” said the executive. “Mayo’s a new coach and everything. But it just seems like holding onto him might cause more issues. That’s not how you want to start your coaching career, having a disgruntled player, especially at that position.
“It’s not what you want, especially when you’re trying to establish a new way of doing things, a new culture there.”
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