11 March 2024 , 04:00
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The New England Patriots are looking for a new quarterback after Mac Jones was sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars and will try something new in the 2024 NFL season. On Sunday, it was revealed that the Patriots were close to finalising a deal with the Jaguars. This would see Jones move to Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round pick, according to ESPN.
The trade won't be finished until March 13 - when the new league year starts - and Jones will need to pass a health check before the trade is fully confirmed. But with the Patriots' decision to let Jones go almost complete, both the player and the team are ready for a fresh start.
Jones had a good first year under famous head coach Bill Belichick, but he couldn't keep up the same level of success in the next two years. Things got so bad for the 25-year-old that Belichick decided to bench Jones for the rest of the 2023 season after just 11 games.
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With Belichick and Jones now gone, and new head coach Jerod Mayo leading the Patriots into a new era, here are four quarterbacks who could make a difference in New England:
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Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson could be an enticing option for the New England Patriots (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)If the Patriots want an experienced player on the field and in the locker room, Russell Wilson might be the best choice to replace Jones. There's no doubt that Wilson isn't the same player he was with the Seattle Seahawks.
But in the right situation, the 35-year-old could still make a difference. After a below-par 2022 season with the Denver Broncos, Wilson sprang back in 2023, notching up 3,070 yards, scoring 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. This kind of bounce-back should ensure he'd be a valuable player, easing the Patriots into a new era.
Drake Maye
Drake Maye could be the quarterback of the future for the New England Patriots (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty ImagesGetty Images)Pegged to be picked by the Patriots, Drake Maye looks set to be New England's next top quarterback, with his outstanding size, power throw and swift moves. Yet, former NFL bigwig Dan Orlovsky reckons that Maye might need a bit more time before hitting the big stage.
"Now, I would absolutely take Drake Maye in the first round, but this is what needs to happen with Drake Maye, he needs to be Jordan Love. He needs to be on the Jordan Love plan," Orlovsky commented on "Get Up."
"If a general manager told me 'We are taking Drake Maye and there is no shot he is going to play for the first two years', I'm in because if you don't fix your feet going into the NFL, I don't care who you are. ... If he can do that, he's got superstar talent."
Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels could be New England's answer to its quarterback conundrum, if he falls to the Patriots (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)Should Maye be drafted before the Patriots swoop in, LSU whizz Jayden Daniels could be a great alternative. Speedy, with a powerful arm and lightning-quick reaction time, Daniels has all the ingredients to become a world-class dual-threat quarterback.
Rumours were flying about that some people looking after Daniels didn't want him to join the Patriots. But Daniels' representation cleared things up on social media, saying: "Your rumors are wrong."
Denise White, who is the boss of EAG Sports Management, wasn't happy about the rumours. She said: "So now we post rumors and not substantiated facts? Jayden's camp will be happy wherever he lands and is excited for him to be a part of the NFL."
Daniels might just be the new star player that Mayo wants, especially if he's still available later in the draft.
Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo could be an option for the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Season (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)The Patriots might think about bringing back Jimmy Garoppolo, who knows what it's like to play for them. Even though he used to play under Belichick, coming back to where he started could be really good for him.
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He hasn't been at his best for the last few years, though. It is known unknown how well Garoppolo will do after playing for the Las Vegas Raiders. He's in the middle of a big contract but the Raiders might let him go to save money.
He's also going to miss two games in the 2024 season after violating the league's Performance Enhancing Substances Policy. Garoppolo is a bit of a gamble, but he could be just what the Patriots need while they look for their next main quarterback.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story