There’s reported ‘chatter’ that the Raiders could try to trade for Mac Jones this offseason
March 6, 2023
Hunter Macias
This blog discusses the possibility of the Las Vegas Raiders trading for quarterback Mac Jones, highlighting his successful rookie season under former Patriots OC Josh McDaniels and his affordability
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Mac Jones Could Be Traded to the Raiders
As the 2023 NFL season approaches, all eyes are on the quarterback position for many teams, including the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders. While it seems that Mac Jones will be the Patriots' starting quarterback, there have been reports of other teams expressing interest in him, particularly the Raiders. According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, there has been "chatter" that the Raiders, led by former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, could try to trade for Jones if they fail to land Aaron Rodgers this offseason. McDaniels and Jones appeared to have a strong working relationship during their lone season together in 2021, with Jones putting up impressive numbers and finishing second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Josh McDaniels' Success with Mac Jones
Throughout the 2021 season, McDaniels worked closely with Jones to help him learn the Patriots' offensive system and adjust to the speed of the NFL game. Jones started all 17 games for the Patriots, and while his numbers weren't eye-popping, he showed steady improvement throughout the season. One of the keys to Jones's success was his ability to process information quickly and make good decisions with the football. McDaniels helped him develop his pre-snap reads and taught him how to identify defensive coverages, which allowed Jones to make quick, accurate throws and avoid turnovers. McDaniels also helped Jones improve his footwork and mechanics, which allowed him to deliver the ball with more velocity and accuracy. Jones had a reputation for being a "game manager" coming out of college, but under McDaniel's tutelage, he showed that he could make all the throws required of an NFL quarterback.
One of the highlights of Jones's rookie season came in a Week 3 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Jones completed 22 of 30 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown, and his performance drew praise from McDaniels.
"He's just a really competitive guy that wants to do it right - everything, wants to do everything right," McDaniels said after the game. "Those are always things that are difficult, you know, when [coaches] leave and you go somewhere else, and there's gonna be people that you miss maybe more than others, but you're gonna miss them all."
Overall, McDaniel's work with Jones in 2021 was a major factor in the Patriots' success. The team finished the season with a 10-7 record and made the playoffs for the first time since 2019. While there were certainly other factors that contributed to the team's success, McDaniel's ability to develop Jones into a competent NFL quarterback was a major reason why the Patriots were able to exceed expectations in 2021.
Mac Jones: The Affordable Quarterback Option the Raiders Need
Jones's salary is another factor that makes him an attractive target for the Raiders. With a $4.25 million cap hit for the 2023 season, Jones's contract would allow the Raiders to fill numerous holes on their roster after a disappointing 6-11 season in 2022. This is especially important since the Raiders released Derek Carr, who would have received $40 million guaranteed and would have made it difficult to fill out their roster. However, while the Raiders' interest in Jones makes sense, it seems unlikely that the Patriots will trade him this offseason. Despite some speculation that Jones and the Patriots could be headed for a breakup after a rocky 2022 season, insiders have pushed back on this idea in recent weeks. NBC Sports Boston's Tom Curran even stated that Jones will not be moved this offseason, citing reasons such as his rookie salary, Bill Belichick's praise for his improvement, and the team owing themselves another opportunity to see what they have in their 2021 first-round pick.
Regardless of where Jones ends up, his job as the Patriots' starting quarterback is not 100 percent safe. Bailey Zappe is reportedly going to "push" for the starting job, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. This could create an interesting competition during training camp and the preseason, with Jones and Zappe vying for the starting role. As for the Raiders, if they can't land Jones or Rodgers, there have been reports that they may go after Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency. Garoppolo played under McDaniels for the first four seasons of his career, so there is a familiarity there that could make him an attractive option for the Raiders. Only time will tell where Jones and other quarterbacks will end up, but one thing is for certain: the quarterback position is one of the most important positions in football, and teams will continue to seek out the best options to lead them to victory.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I would love to hear your thoughts on the possibility of the Las Vegas Raiders acquiring Mac Jones. Do you think Jones could be the solution to the Raiders quarterback woes? Please feel free to share your comments below.