Could a new regime keep the status quo at quarterback in New England?
It’s not out of the realm of possibilities.
Mac Jones struggled mightily the last two seasons, particularly this last one where he was benched multiple times at the end of games before losing his job completely, but that doesn’t mean his time as a starter with the club is over.
New offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt told reporters Wednesday that New England hasn’t ruled out anything as it pertains to the 2024 season.
And that includes keeping their incumbent.
“Really right now, everything is on the table,” Van Pelt said. “As we go through this process we’re really these last couple weeks, 10 days have been diving into and trying to evaluate our guys.
“We’re trying to understand who we have here as well as looking at other players out there.”
Van Pelt said he has already met with Jones, who was a Pro Bowler during his rookie season in 2021 but has since regressed over the last two.
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The Patriots hold the No. 3 pick in the draft and could conceivably land top prospects Drake Maye or Caleb Williams to restart their franchise at quarterback.
But in January, Bill Belichick’s successor as head coach, Jerod Mayo, spoke highly of Jones’ work ethic at the facility.
“Mac Jones was in there working out,” Mayo said to ESPN. “That attitude, that mentality of changing the page, is something that I hold high.”
But Mayo’s positive attitude painted a different picture than some others around the team have discussed, with one team source telling the Boston Sports Journal that the Patriots are “sick” of Jones’ “prima donna” attitude.
Things became so toxic in the Patriots’ locker room over the last few seasons that backup Bailey Zappe watched game film in the wide receivers’ room, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported.
Jones went 2-9 as the starter this past season and threw 10 touchdowns to 12 interceptions as Zappe officially took the starting role in Week 13.
Jones’ time as the starter came with multiple benchings and then-offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien blowing up at the quarterback on the sideline during a Week 11 game in Germany.
The Alabama product was inactive for the season finale loss to the Jets.
