The New England Patriots made the right decision to move on from quarterback Mac Jones, even if it wasn’t the best outcome after selecting him in the first round just a couple of years ago.
The Patriots ultimately found themselves a franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, and everything seems to be working out for both parties.
Jones is widely considered one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL, though there has been talk of him being traded if the San Francisco 49ers can get back decent draft capital. Decent draft capital could mean as much as a second-round pick, as San Francisco reportedly values him highly.
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers currently dealing with an injury to quarterback Baker Mayfield, Bleacher Report recently suggested that the former Patriots quarterback could save Tampa Bay’s season after a 0-4 start.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receive: QB Mac Jones
San Francisco 49ers receive: Conditional 2027 third-round draft pick
“When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers issued a blockbuster contract extension to Baker Mayfield right before the 2026 NFL season kicked off, they probably didn’t expect an undrafted rookie to be their starting quarterback with the season on the line in Week 4. Mayfield is regarded as one of the league’s toughest players and hadn’t missed a single game during his first three seasons in Tampa. That changed when he dislocated his right thumb in Week 3, an injury that is expected to keep him out for several more weeks,” Bleacher Report wrote.
Already 0-4, the Buccaneers have to decide whether they believe a quarterback trade could salvage their season. As for Jones, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him get a chance to start elsewhere throughout this season.
Whether that happens around the trade deadline or a couple of weeks before is still to be seen.
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