Mac Jones traded: Who will be the Patriots next starting QB? - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — What's next for the New England Patriots at quarterback?

By finalizing a trade to send quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the new Patriots regime — led by director of scouting Eliot Wolf and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo — ultimately decided that a fresh start was best for both sides.

Jones, the No. 15 pick of the 2021 NFL draft, showed promise as a rookie when he was named a Pro Bowl alternate. But his performance declined after a regrettable string of coaching and personnel-related decisions by former head coach Bill Belichick, with Jones also taking accountability for things he could have done better on the field. He was benched after 11 games last season, increasing the likelihood that his Patriots days were near an end.

Over three seasons, Jones finished his Patriots career 864 of 1,308 for 8,918 yards, with 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.

The team has 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe and December waiver wire pickup Nathan Rourke on its current quarterback depth chart, but more additions are guaranteed.

The Patriots are optimistic that first-year offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, whose work getting five quarterbacks ready to play for the Cleveland Browns last season drew rave reviews, will do the same for New England's QB group.

Van Pelt said the key traits he looks for in quarterbacks are: «smart, tough and a leader.»

«Obviously, there is accuracy in the pass game, and mobility and decision-making,» he said. «There's a lot that goes into it, but at the end of the day that role is such an important role for not just the offense but for the team: a guy that is a true leader who really understands his teammates and gets the best out