ESPN lays out the ‘almost certainly’ situation for Mac Jones’s future with the Patriots

Patriots

ESPN’s Dan Graziano says Mac Jones is more likely to stay with the Patriots for years to come back.

Mac Jones seems to be the Patriots’ beginning quarterback because the group heads into its first preseason sport towards the Houston Texans on Thursday night time at Gillette Stadium.

This season will probably be a essential one for the third-year quarterback.

He had a powerful rookie season in 2021 that culminated in a playoff look and a Professional Bowl choice. Then he adopted that up with an atrocious 2022 season in an offense let by Joe Choose and Matt Patricia.

Jones’s contract is ready to run out in 2024, and the group has a fifth-year choice on his deal for 2025.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano predicts that Jones can sit up for a “smoother and higher organized” expertise with Invoice O’Brien this season. He stated that the almost certainly long-term final result for Jones is that he stays with the Patriots.

“Jones and O’Brien click on, and Jones seems to be much more like his 2021 self than his 2022 self,” predicts Graziano. “And subsequent Might, the Patriots choose up Jones’ fifth-year choice and possibly even prolong his contract, cementing him because the starter in 2024 and past.”

Graziano additionally affords an extended shot situation that doesn’t bode effectively for the 2021 first-round choose.

“Jones struggles,” Graziano stated of the potential lengthy shot situation. “Bailey Zappe replaces him and appears nice, and the Pats enter the 2024 offseason with a full-blown quarterback controversy. And maybe they be part of many groups on this record with a excessive draft choose to pick out a brand new one.”

Jones has constantly labored with the starters all through coaching camp, and has the higher choice thus far.

Nevertheless, circumstances exterior of Jones’s management can occur.

Zappe acquired taking part in time final season as a result of Jones and Brian Hoyer each acquired injured. Zappe performed effectively and received each of his begins earlier than getting pummeled by the worst group in soccer, the Chicago Bears, in his closing significant taking part in time of the yr.

However, barring damage or a disastrous begin, the job seems to be Jones’s for now. If he can present sizable enchancment below the brand new offensive coordinator O’Brien this season, it is going to be step one in the direction of regaining the belief he’s talked about throughout coaching camp and securing his future in New England.