How confident are the New England Patriots in Mac Jones as their starting quarterback? Their reported strategy in the 2023 NFL Draft offers some big clues.
The Patriots showed a "great deal of interest" in Hendon Hooker before the Detroit Lions drafted the Tennessee quarterback prospect in the third round at No. 68 overall, The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported Saturday. Howe added it "wouldn't have been a surprise" if New England took Hooker if he fell to No. 76, where the Patriots took Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu instead.
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Hooker wouldn't necessarily have been drafted as Jones' replacement, however. The 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year is coming off a torn ACL suffered late last season and could use a year of grooming after playing in a unique Tennessee offense.
So, the plan would have been to see if Jones bounces back in 2023 under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, and if he didn't make significant strides, potentially turn to Hooker in 2024 and beyond.
Instead, Hooker went off the board eight picks before the Patriots, who drafted defensive players with each of their first three picks. New England also "never considered" taking Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, per Howe, so it appears the coast is clear for Jones in 2023 (assuming he can beat out backup Bailey Zappe).
New England Patriots
Head coach Bill Belichick did give Jones somewhat of a vote of confidence Friday night after Day 2 of the draft.
"Mac's been our quarterback for two years," Belichick told reporters. "As I tell the team every year, each player, each coach, we all have to re-establish and prove ourselves every year. That's what this league is. So that's for all of us. 2023 is 2023 and we'll see how it goes."
Jones' contract expires after the 2024 season, however, and if he doesn't deliver in 2023, expect the team to be in the market for a QB.