As the Las Vegas Raiders continue to search for their future starting quarterback, a potential new candidate has emerged: New England Patriots QB Mac Jones.

While writing about the Raiders’ plans at quarterback, which includes Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and San Francisco 49ers free agent Jimmy Garoppolo, ESPN’s Dan Graziano included an interesting tidbit about Jones:

“There's also some chatter that McDaniels might try to acquire Mac Jones from the Patriots, though it seems unlikely New England would consider moving the 2021 first-rounder,” Graziano wrote Sunday.

Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels was the Patriots’ offensive coordinator when Jones was drafted 15th overall in 2021. Jones played markedly better as a rookie under McDaniels than he did in 2022 with Matt Patricia, Joe Judge and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick running the offense. New England has since hired Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator for the 2023 season.

Three sources lended credence to Graziano’s report, though it does seem unlikely that the Raiders ultimately will pull off a deal. One source believes that McDaniels is higher on Jones than Belichick and would like to continue working with the young QB.

Another source pointed out it’s a move that would make more sense for the Raiders than the Patriots if Las Vegas is unwilling to pay a premium for other top available quarterbacks. A trade involving Jones would need to serve as a domino for the Patriots to acquire a clear upgrade over Jones, which is ”possible but not likely.”

“These are the kind of ideas that get talked about at this time of year but generally don't materialize into anything,” a source said.

It's worth noting New England did meet with Florida QB prospect Anthony Richardson at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Patriots hold the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Richardson will likely be off the board by that point. Could the Patriots trade Jones for a draft pick and move up for one of the top four QBs in the draft, which also includes Bryce Young, Will Levis and C.J. Stroud? Maybe. But if the Patriots traded Jones to move up for a QB, they'd have to be very sure that player will be better.

Garoppolo is an interesting option for New England since the Patriots drafted him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft before trading him away in 2017. Garoppolo has a higher floor than Jones but will also be more expensive than a quarterback still on a rookie contract. Jones’ cap hit is just $4.25 million in 2023 and just under $5 million in 2024. He’d come to a new team with a $2 million salary in 2023 and a $2.8 million salary in 2024. The Patriots, or a team who potentially could acquire Jones like the Raiders, must make a decision on the fifth-year option in his rookie contract next offseason.

Other quarterbacks potentially available via trade or free agency include Rodgers, Derek Carr, Daniel Jones, Lamar Jackson, Geno Smith, Carson Wentz, Baker Mayfield, Marcus Mariota, Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater, Jacoby Brissett, Andy Dalton, Taylor Heinicke, Cooper Rush and Gardner Minshew, among others.

The Patriots reportedly plan to release veteran backup Brian Hoyer and have 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe under contract. Zappe started two games last season and didn’t serve as a significant downgrade from Jones.

The most likely scenario is that Jones is the Patriots’ starting quarterback in 2023, but it would not be surprising if the Raiders reach out about the Alabama product’s availability.

Thumbnail via Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports