Patriots could make surprising QB decision in 2024?

Aug 29, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo watches the action during the second half against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots are in position to take one of the top quarterbacks available in the 2024 NFL Draft, but there is growing speculation that they may opt for familiarity at the start of next season.

Mac Jones was one of five active players who attended Jerod Mayo’s introduction at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday. The Patriots’ new head coach also paid Jones a big compliment this week.

“Mac Jones was in there working out,” Mayo told ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “That attitude, that mentality of changing the page, is something that I hold high.”

Mayo has said he will evaluate every position this offseason, but there have been plenty of signs that Jones has a chance to remain New England’s starting quarterback in 2024. One popular theory is that the relationship between Jones and Bill Belichick was one of the former first-round pick’s biggest issues over the past two seasons.

Some have compared the Jones situation to when Tua Tagovailoa appeared to lose his confidence under former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who happens to be from the Belichick coaching tree. Tagovailoa’s potential was unlocked after Mike McDaniel became the head coach in Miami. Perhaps Mayo thinks he can do the same if he puts the right pieces in place for Jones.

Jones is still on a rookie contract and will count less than $5 million against the salary cap next season. Even if the Patriots do not pick up the fifth-year option on Jones’ deal for 2025, it is possible they could draft a quarterback and stick with Jones to help bridge the gap.

Jones showed promise in his rookie season in 2021 and even made the Pro Bowl. His production fell off a cliff the past two seasons, however. Jones threw for just 2,120 yards with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions across 11 games this season before being benched in favor of backup Bailey Zappe.

A recent report shed light on how tense things were between Jones and Belichick toward the end of the 71-year-old coach’s tenure with the team. Patriots fans would probably prefer a fresh start at the QB position, but there is a legitimate chance they may not get it right away.