Executive discusses what Patriots could get in Mac Jones trade

The New England Patriots are not expected to pick up the fifth-year option for 2025 attached to Mac Jones' rookie contract and, thus, could make the quarterback available to other clubs this offseason. 

An unnamed NFL executive spoke with Karen Guregian of MassLive about what the Patriots could potentially receive in return for Jones' services. 

"I could see a team, even if they saw him as a very good backup, trading a fifth-round pick for him," the executive said about Jones. "Maybe they could get a fourth-rounder, but it would depend on the time of year and the team’s situation." 

Jones, a 2021 first-round draft pick, earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie before then-offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels became head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. The 25-year-old regressed across each of the past two seasons and was pulled from games on four different occasions this past fall. 

Ahead of the 2023 campaign, the Dallas Cowboys sent a 2024 fourth-round draft selection to the San Francisco 49ers for signal-caller Trey Lance. The executive pointed out that Lance had two seasons and the fifth-year option left on his contract at the time those teams completed that transaction. 

"I definitely think he’ll have a market," the executive added. "It seems like it’s been a rough go for him the past two years." 

The executive also mentioned that the Patriots holding onto "a disgruntled" quarterback through the summer could do more harm than good as new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo begins the task of replacing Bill Belichick.

"It’s not what you want, especially when you’re trying to establish a new way of doing things, a new culture there," the executive said. 

According to ESPN stats, Jones finished what could be his final regular season with New England ranked 28th with a 36.6 adjusted QBR and 33rd with a 77.0 passer rating. Over fewer than 11 full games, he tossed 10 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.