Mac Jones trade rumors are nothing new, but the speculation around the New England Patriots quarterback may have reached a fever pitch. With a new coaching staff and front office structure in place, the Patriots may want to move on from the mercurial former first-round pick.
What is Jones’ trade value if New England puts him on the market? And where are the Alabama product’s best landing spots around the NFL?
Mac Jones’ Contract and Trade Value
On Friday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport indicated that the Patriots “appear open” to moving Jones this offseason, adding that “teams have been calling them and doing work on the former starter.”
Jones, 25, has one year remaining on his rookie contract. He will earn $2.785 million in base salary in 2024, making him highly affordable.
The Patriots will absorb the rest of Jones’ prorated signing bonus — $2.14 million — as dead money if they trade him. Any team that acquires Jones will only be responsible for his base salary.
Because Jones was a first-round draft pick, his contract also contains a fifth-year option for 2025. Reports have already suggested the Patriots were (unsurprisingly) not interested in exercising Jones’ $25.664 million option.
That option decision will transfer to Jones’ next team if he’s traded. His new club would need to exercise or decline his option by May 2, 2024.
Jones posted sub-40 QBRs in each of the last two seasons, was benched for Bailey Zappe in 2023, and reportedly lost New England’s locker room. It’s hard to imagine any team would pick up Jones’ fifth-year option, and his trade value is at its nadir.
The Patriots could ask for a Day 3 pick, but they might have to settle for a pick swap in which they, for example, land a sixth-round selection while giving up a seventh-rounder.
Mac Jones’ Potential Landing Spots
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings could be on the brink of losing Kirk Cousins, who will reach the open market next week, barring a last-minute extension with Minnesota. If Cousins leaves, the Vikings could pursue a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, either by sticking at No. 11 or trading up.
Jones could make sense for Minnesota as a transitional option. The Vikings may want to sit whichever QB they land in the draft, so Jones could become a temporary starter. He’d be a more affordable choice than Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, or other high-end backups/borderline starters, who might command $10 million in free agency.
Denver Broncos
Speaking of transitions, the Broncos will have to figure out how to navigate the next two offseasons while taking on $85 million in Russell Wilson’s dead money. Sitting one pick behind the Vikings at No. 12, it might be challenging for Denver to move up for a rookie signal-caller.
With their salary-cap limitations, the Broncos won’t be in on the veteran quarterback market. If Sean Payton wants to add competition for Jarrett Stidham (who would be Denver’s starter if the season started today), Jones could be on his radar.
San Francisco 49ers
Numerous reports have suggested that Kyle Shanahan initially intended to select Jones after trading up for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft before ultimately picking Trey Lance.
Assuming Shanahan’s interest is still there, the 49ers could make a play for Jones. Incumbent San Francisco QB2 Sam Darnold is a pending free agent and could garner a free agent deal that the 49ers can’t match.
Las Vegas Raiders
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has made it clear that Las Vegas will leave no stone unturned as it seeks to upgrade over Aidan O’Connell under center. However, the Raiders won’t pick until No. 13 in Round 1. Unless they’re willing to sacrifice a significant haul, they may be unable to move up for a rookie passer.
O’Connell will need some level of competition if Vegas doesn’t land a QB in the draft and could consider Jones if the price is right.
Los Angeles Rams
With midseason signing Carson Wentz headed for free agency, the Rams may need a new backup for starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. While Jones is hardly the creative thrower that Stafford is, he should be able to operate Sean McVay’s offense.
KEEP READING: Full List of New England Patriots 2024 Draft Picks
Los Angeles might be interested in getting him into its system now, just in case Stafford retires after the 2024 campaign. For Jones, rehabbing his career under McVay wouldn’t be the worst career move.
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