Like many other teams, the Patriots are firmly in the mix for a quarterback this offseason.
There are plenty of names available, but that doesn’t mean they are realistic options for the Patriots. Some will be traded, others signed as free agents and then several will be selected in the first round of the draft.
To try and simply things, we’ve separated the available players into three categories relating to the Patriots: realistic, long-shots and no chance (in alphabetical order). And unfortunately for them, the better players are in the latter two.
REALISTIC
Jacoby Brissett- The former Patriots backup has been with the Colts for the last four seasons, starting for most of 2017 and 2019. The 28-year-old doesn’t fit the Patriots’ current system, but given how much the organization like him, he could be a potential option, just not as the primary starter.
Andy Dalton- The 33-year-old showed he could still be a viable NFL starter this past year filling in for an injured Dak Prescott. The Patriots reportedly considered Dalton last offseason before he ultimately signed with Dallas. He could be a good option to be paired with a rookie selected high in the draft.
Ryan Fitzpatrick- Fitzpatrick is very similar to Dalton, as he seems like a perfect fit if paired with a rookie selected high in the draft. The veteran could have a similar role to what he did in Miami last year — starting until rookie Tua Tagovailoa was ready. The 38-year-old has played for every team in the AFC East besides the Patriots, so why not go for all four?
Marcus Mariota- Given the Raiders’ cap situation, it feels like they would deal him if another team was interested. It likely would only take a late-round pick, which would make a lot of sense for New England. Josh McDaniels was reportedly a big fan when he was coming out of college and he would definitely improve the offense from what it was a year ago. Mariota saw very limited playing time in 2019, but looked good when starter Derek Carr got injured against the Chargers.
Cam Newton- The 2020 Patriots quarterback certainly is a realistic option to return in 2021. With that being said, it seems likely he wouldn’t be brought back to be the primary starter. It would either be in a backup role or to compete for the job with a rookie or perhaps another veteran. What Newton does have in his favor is he showed he’s a great teammate behind the scenes and could be a good player to mentor a young QB.
Mac Jones- The Alabama product feels like the most realistic option for the Patriots in the first round of the NFL Draft. Where he should be slotted varies among the analysts with some even thinking he could go higher than No. 15. But, just because he’s available, does it mean the Patriots should take him? Only if they truly believe he can one day be a franchise quarterback.
Mitchell Trubisky- Trubisky was benched for Nick Foles for part of last season, but he passed for 16 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions as the Bears snuck into the playoffs. The free agent to-be could benefit from a change of scenery and if McDaniels feels he could work with the UNC product, he could make some sense in New England.
Jameis Winston- Winston was another player the Patriots considered last offseason, but he ultimately signed with the Saints on a similar deal to what Newton got. New Orleans could look to bring him back, but if he becomes available it seems likely the Patriots will have at least moderate interest.
LONG-SHOTS
Derek Carr- It doesn’t feel like the Raiders will be looking trade Carr and if they do, their asking price feels like it would be a lot higher than what the Patriots would want to give up (multiple first-round picks). Like we said earlier, Mariota feels like the more likely player on the roster to end up in New England.
Sam Darnold- Whether or not Darnold is ultimately traded by the Jets remains to be seen, and if he does, it seems hard to envision the Jets trading him within the division. Now, if the Patriots really believe he’s the answer and blows the Jets away with an offer, that is a different story. At the end of the day, the chances Darnold ends up with the Patriots feel slim.
Justin Fields- Some draft analysts have Fields falling, but it’s hard to imagine him falling within range for the Patriots, especially No. 15 overall. If they do really, really like him there does seem like a scenario where they could trade up to get him, but they likely would need to give up a ton to do so.
Jimmy Garoppolo- Garoppolo feels like the best-case scenario for the Patriots, but at this point it feels like the 49ers will be holding on to him. It doesn’t seem like a better option will come along for them and if that’s the case they won’t trade or release him. With that being said, if the 49ers do indeed add another quarterback then Garoppolo would move up into the realistic category.
Trey Lance- Lance is very similar to Fields. There’s an outside chance the Patriots go all-in to move up in the draft and select him, but the more likely scenario is he’s selected well before they are on the clock at No. 15 overall.
Nick Mullens- Mullens is a realistic option, but a long-shot since it’s hard to see the Patriots going after the 26-year-old. He was rather pedestrian when filling in for Garoppolo and he’s coming off surgery on his throwing shoulder shortly after last season.
Carson Wentz- There’s a very good chance Wentz is traded by the Eagles, but it doesn’t feel like there’s much interest on New England’s side. The Bears or the Colts feel more likely. But, there’s always the Patriots surprise everyone, which is why he’s in the long-shot category and not no chance.
NO CHANCE
Trevor Lawrence- Even if the Patriots offered the Jaguars the best package in the world, they have no shot at moving up that high.
Dak Prescott- There’s a very slim chance the Cowboys QB will even become available in free agency, but even if he does, he’s not coming to New England.
Russell Wilson- It seems like cooler heads will prevail in Seattle, and even if they don’t and he hits the open market, New England doesn’t feel like a real destination.
Deshaun Watson- It feels like Nick Caserio and the Texans will ultimately be forced to trade the superstar quarterback and when it comes to the Patriots, it feels like other teams will present better offers. Also, Watson has the right to veto a trade and would he really want to play for the Patriots?
Zach Wilson- Like Lawrence, even if the Patriots are desperate to get him, Wilson will be going so high in the draft it will be impossible for them to move up that high.
