'We'll make the right decisions': New Patriots OC addresses future of Mac Jones

The New England Patriots closed a chapter of their history when Jerod Mayo officially replaced Bill Belichick as the club's head coach in January. 

Most NFL insiders and reporters expect New England to move on from quarterback Mac Jones at some point this offseason, but new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt suggested during his introductory news conference on Wednesday that Jones could still have a future with the organization. 

"Really right now, everything is on the table," Van Pelt said about the club's quarterback situation, per Michael Hurley of CBS News Boston and Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "Right now everything is on the table, and we're still working through that process. When that time comes, I'm sure it'll be a collaborative effort and we'll make the right decisions."

Jones, a 2021 first-round draft pick, earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie but never flirted with reclaiming his best form over the past two seasons. Most recently, the 25-year-old spent the final six contests of the 2023 campaign as a spectator after he was pulled from games four times across 11 weeks. 

Rumors emerged during this past season claiming Jones had lost members of the locker room even before his final benching. It was then reported last week that he was part of what was a "toxic" quarterback room during Belichick's final two years in charge. Jones' stock has fallen so dramatically that it's thought New England may be lucky to get a fourth-round draft pick in return for his services this spring. 

Meanwhile, individuals such as Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports and ESPN's Field Yates routinely predict the Patriots will use the No. 3 overall selection of this year's draft to land Jones' replacement. 

"The biggest thing is that there’s some good pieces in place," Van Pelt added. "I think the best thing for everybody is going to be a fresh start for everybody. I talked to a couple of guys already. Coming in with a clean slate, not preconceived expectations or notions of who these guys are and then we’ll build it from the ground up. But exciting to have the opportunity to do that." 

Former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien embraced a similar "fresh start" mantra last offseason, but that wasn't enough to fix Jones. Neither Van Pelt nor anyone else within the organization has anything to gain in badmouthing Jones, but it seems the "fresh start" the signal-caller needs this time around involves leaving New England.