The New Orleans Saints hadn’t taken a quarterback in the first round since 1971, but they were apparently more than willing to end that 50-year drought in 2021.
According to The Athletic, the Saints were trying to make a play for Mac Jones, but the Patriots stole him just in timer.
NFL insider Michael Lombardi also confirmed that news:
“I’ve had this confirmed to me by two teams. They were trying to get up above New England to get Mac Jones,” Lombardi said, via WEEI. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. Everybody will deny it, ‘No, no, no’ … I’m telling you, they were trying to get ahead. They couldn’t get there.
“Why? Because Minnesota traded with the Jets. Minnesota didn’t go back as far as New Orleans, and they got a good deal, right? 13 wasn’t moving because (Rashawn) Slater was there. The Chargers weren’t going to move. 12 wasn’t moving because Dallas was going to pick (Micah) Parsons. 11 became (Justin) Fields. So there was nowhere for them to go, and I don’t know if the Saints called New England to try and trade for that pick or if they knew New England was going to just take Mac Jones.
“Here’s what I would say for a fact, and I’ve had this told to me by at least four people in the league. Sean Payton loved Mac Jones. If Sean Payton loved Mac Jones, Josh McDaniels loved Mac Jones, and Kyle Shanahan liked Mac Jones, Mac Jones must be a pretty good player because I think those three guys know how to evaluate good quarterbacks.”
Former franchise QB Drew Brees is retired and the team is getting set to have a QB battle between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill for the starting job.
