Insiders reveal Patriots' NFL Draft, QB plans

The Patriots quarterback position was a sure thing in the NFL for nearly two decades when three-time MVP Tom Brady served as the starter beginning in 2001. Since the "GOAT" signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2020, won his seventh Super Bowl and subsequently retired twice, New England has had a largely unsuccessful revolving door of veterans and youngsters.

One-time MVP Cam Newton started 15 games for the Patriots in 2020 and struggled to the tune of eight touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, an 82.9 passer rating and a 7-8 record.

Jones was selected 15th overall, and since his Pro Bowl rookie campaign where he led the team to a playoff berth at 10-7, everything has gone downhill. He started and played just 11 games during the 2023 campaign and didn't see any action after Week 12.

Per the MassLive.com report, one league executive (outside of New England) said that it's "widely expected in league circles that quarterbacks will be selected with the first three picks" at the spring showcase.

USC's Caleb Williams is expected to be taken first, leaving the likes of LSU Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye up for grabs.

The Washington Commanders also have a very uncertain quarterback situation and have the No. 2 pick.

The report added that the Pats have been "heavily focused" on quarterbacks at the Scouting Combine.

"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," the report said. "For the Patriots, several dominos must fall before they know who their starting quarterback will be. If the team selects Daniels or Maye and deems them ready, the rookie would start. But this is a process that this new Patriots brass isn’t going to rush."

Among the primary decision-makers for New England in April will be first-year head coach Jerod Mayo and director of scouting Eliot Wolf. The former was hired as Bill Belichick's replacement on Jan. 12, while Wolf was promoted in 2022 and became the de facto general manager in early February.

The team also said goodbye to offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien this winter and replaced him with former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt for the same role. Former New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo was also brought in as a senior offensive assistant and T.C. McCartney was hired as the quarterbacks coach earlier in February as well.

According to the report, free agents "to watch" include Jacoby Brissett and Joe Flacco. As noted by the trio of insiders, the duo have "connections" to the team's new staff.

"Van Pelt was the offensive coordinator and McCartney was the tight ends coach in Cleveland when Brissett was there in 2022," the report said. "Last season, Flacco worked with Van Pelt and McCartney in Cleveland. In 2019, McCartney was also Flacco’s quarterbacks coach in Denver."