New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is a virtual lock to be cut or traded in the upcoming NFL offseason.
The third-year QB is having a nightmare of a 2023 season with the 2-10 Patriots. He has 10 touchdowns against 12 interceptions and lost his starting job to backup Bailey Zappe, who got the nod in the club’s Week 13 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
With the Patriots likely to finish with a top-three pick, they’ll be in good position to take a top QB prospect like USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye. The bottom line is that Jones certainly won’t start again in 2024 after a second straight disappointing season in Foxborough.
If there’s one team who feels like an ideal landing spot for Jones, it’s Arthur Smith’s NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons.
Remarkably, the Falcons are in a tremendous position to end a six-year playoff drought despite mediocre QB play from Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke. The duo have combined for 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions and only 2,549 passing yards.
Now imagine what the former Alabama standout could do in a Smith-coached offense that features Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Tyler Allgeier.
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Unlike his time with the Pats, Jones would be surrounded with an offense-first head coach, an elite supporting cast and a top-tier offensive line. Jones showed promise when Josh McDaniels was the offensive coordinator in a quick-strike, short-pass-filled offense.
Given Jones’ struggles over the last two years, the Falcons could probably get him for a 2024 fifth-round draft choice. It’s a worthy gamble for the Falcons, who are simply one QB upgrade away from emerging as a bonafide title contender.
Put Jones in that offense, and maybe he reaches his potential once and for all. At the very least, he’d fare better in Atlanta compared to what we’ve seen over the last two seasons.
