Mac Jones Rumors: Patriots QB Returning Not Ruled Out After Mayo Replaces Belichick

The Mac Jones era in New England may not be over just yet.

According to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com, the "door isn't shut" on the Patriots quarterback returning for the 2024 season. Although the relationship between Jones and former head coach Bill Belichick ended poorly, it appears that the addition of new head coach Jerod Mayo could mean that the 25-year-old remains with the team.

New England owns the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, leading to initial speculation that the team could select a new franchise quarterback.

Jones struggled throughout the 2023 season as he was benched multiple times. In 11 games, the former first-round pick completed 64.9 percent of his passes and averaged 192.7 yards each week while throwing 10 touchdowns. Each one of those marks was the lowest of his career.

The former Alabama product was open about his struggles when speaking with reporters at the end of the season, acknowledging his cloudy future with the team.

"I feel like I let a lot of people down with my play," Jones said, per Matt Geagan of CBS News Boston. "A lot of that is in my control and a lot of it is not. I'm going to do everything I can for my next opportunity, whether that is here, and really push forward and continue be Mac, and don't let that waver."

After making the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021 while leading New England to a 10-7 record, Jones has struggled to replicate that level of production ever since. It's worth noting that he's had a different offensive coordinator in each season of his career and will have another if he stays with the Patriots after Bill O'Brien was hired by Ohio State on Jan. 18.

While Mayo could be open to the idea of keeping Jones, it doesn't mean that his future is cemented in New England. Per Daniels, the Patriots aren't planning on picking up his fifth-year option and "the team won't hesitate to move him if the right deal comes across their desk."