What will Patriots do with QB Mac Jones in offseason?

The New England Patriots-Mac Jones marriage is on the rocks. In Week 13, the team benched him as starting QB, probably permanently, in favor of 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe.

While it is a near-guarantee Jones will depart the Patriots, how he leaves — via trade or release — remains the question. 

One recent QB trade could be indicative of Jones' value. 

In late October, the Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Joshua Dobbs and a seventh-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals for a sixth-round pick. This season for Arizona and Minnesota, Dobbs has 13 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and a 3-9 record as a starter. 

After a putrid showing against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14 (10-for-23, 63 yards passing), Dobbs himself was benched in favor of journeyman Nick Mullens.

Jones, a 2021 first-round pick, has 10 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 2-9 record as starter this season. 

With Jones of the same — if not worse — caliber as Dobbs, that places his value near a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Dobbs was a fourth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017.

There is also the possibility teams will not be interested in giving up any draft picks for Jones, which could force the Patriots to cut him. Releasing Jones is not in New England's best interest, however. 

According to Spotrac, Jones' contract is fully guaranteed, which means New England would be obligated to pay the remainder of his contract that terminates after the 2024 season. 

In all likelihood, the Patriots will spend big in the offseason to rebuild their broken offense and strengthen their defense. 

If other teams don't view Jones as worth a draft pick and the Patriots want to avoid a release, they must get clever. New England could package another declining player with an expiring contract — perhaps WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster or DeVante Parker —  into the deal to improve the return.

Patriots insider Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston recently speculated about Jones' future.

"Can the Patriots build him back up, or will it have to happen someplace else?" he wondered. "Most likely, it'll have to happen someplace else."

Of course, QB isn't the only position with the Patriots under a white-hot spotlight. Head coach Bill Belichick's future with the 3-10 team also is hotly debated. Curran reported the Patriots have already decided to part with their longtime coach.