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Mike Fanelli breaks down what the New England Patriots will do at the quarterback position this offseason and who are the leading contenders to be the team's Week 1 starter in 2024.
The New England Patriots have fallen since their days as consistent Super Bowl contenders under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Last year, the Patriots finished last in the AFC East division with a 4-13 record, leading to multiple changes in the organization.
One of those changes will be at the quarterback position. Mac Jones has been a bust since a promising rookie season, totaling 2,120 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 11 games last season. Unfortunately, Bailey Zappe wasn’t any better, ending the year with 1,272 passing yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 10 games.
New England will have a new Week 1 starting quarterback. However, who will it be? The team will explore all options, including veteran free agents and rookies. Let’s look at the top contenders.
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Baker Mayfield
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t place the franchise tag on Mayfield, meaning the veteran quarterback will hit the open market next week unless the two sides agree to a long-term contract before the start of free agency. While the former No. 1 overall pick doesn’t have the best track record of all the available free-agent quarterbacks, Mayfield could land in New England if he doesn’t return to Tampa Bay. He would give the Patriots a reliable starter with arguably his best years still ahead of him.
The New England Patriots have been mentioned as a landing spot for Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/5J1IKisAZ8
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 3, 2024
Russell Wilson
While Wilson’s time with the Denver Broncos was a disaster, the veteran quarterback has something left in the tank. He had a 7-8 record as the starter in 2023. Yet, Wilson led the NFL with four fourth-quarter comeback victories. The former superstar also rebounded after an awful first year in Denver, totaling 26 passing touchdowns compared to eight interceptions last season. Wilson isn’t someone the Patriots can build around for the next decade, but he is a potential stopgap option.
A Rookie
Reportedly, New England will seriously consider trading away the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, instead solving their need at quarterback through free agency. However, that would be shortsighted and is unlikely to happen. While the Patriots would love to get their hands on Caleb Williams, it would take a historical trade offer to move up to the top pick. Instead, fans should expect the team to take whichever of Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels is still available when they are on the clock.
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The #Patriots have plans to meet with Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels this week.
New England doing its homework on the top quarterbacks, with the #3 pick. pic.twitter.com/D4vejQOpCI
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 27, 2024
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