Above all else, Bill Belichick values these two tenets when it comes to making player personnel decisions: value and flexibility.
Trading Mac Jones for a high-priced quarterback this offseason would shatter his doctrine. The Patriots would certainly be better with Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson under center. But it’s just not going to happen, with all due respect to Wiggy, who’s advocating the Patriots trade Jones for one of those two.
The price for acquiring a perennial Pro Bowl quarterback probably begins with the Rams’ package for Matthew Stafford: two firsts and a third. The Rams also sent Jared Goff and his remaining $106.6 million to Detroit, which might’ve inflated the cost. But then again, there’s no more guaranteed money left on Goff’s deal. The Lions can cut him if they choose.
Last year, it was reported the Seahawks would’ve considered trading Wilson for three first round picks. The Bears reportedly offered three firsts, a third and two unnamed starters for his services.
It’s unlikely Seattle’s price would drop this offseason. In one Pro Football Focus mock draft, the Seahawks trade Wilson to the Eagles for multiple firsts.
In addition to the draft capital, any team acquiring Wilson would also have to sign him to a costly extension. He’s set to become a free agent at the end of 2023.
The Texans’ seeming asking price for Watson isn’t any better. Houston is demanding three first round picks and some combination of three second- or third-round picks or multiple young players, the Houston Chronicle reports. Accusations of sexual misconduct are also still swirling around Watson, who hasn’t played in a year. He’s facing 22 civil lawsuits and a criminal investigation by the Houston Police Department.
It’s hard to imagine Robert Kraft giving Belichick the green light to make Watson the face of his franchise, even if the cost wasn’t prohibitive.
Speaking of which, the price for Aaron Rodgers probably isn’t any lower following his fourth MVP win. The Patriots have never seriously been linked to the electrifying, yet enigmatic passer.
The Patriots spent last year like a team that’s counting on having a cost-controlled option at quarterback for the next couple of years. As we’ve heard ad nauseam, quarterbacks on rookie contracts allow teams to overextend themselves elsewhere.
There’s no evidence Belichick is discontent with the direction of New England’s offense. He’s spent the last three years transforming the Patriots into more of a power and run-based team, despite the rest of the league going in the opposite direction. Though the Patriots’ offense lacked explosion last season, they were still sixth in scoring.
Their season may have turned out differently if they could’ve forced the Bills to punt, or stopped the Colts on the ground.
Jones was the best quarterback of his rookie class, completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Those numbers indicate the former Alabama standout is primed for a big sophomore jump … unless Matt Patricia or Joe Judge is calling his plays.
Belichick broke with his frugal history when the Patriots spent a record number of guaranteed money in free agency last year. But trading away his cheap young QB and several first rounders for Wilson or Watson is too far.
Jones may never good enough to out-duel Josh Allen. But that just means the Patriots are going to have to find another way to win.
