Patriots Rumors: Mac Jones Trade Seen as 'Mutually Beneficial' by NFL Insiders

If the New England Patriots and Mac Jones are headed for a separation this offseason, neither side is likely to be too upset about it.

Per The Athletic's Chad Graff and Jeff Howe, people around the NFL view a Jones trade as a "mutually beneficial move" for the quarterback and organization.

Jones has had a whirlwind run with the Patriots since being selected with the No. 15 pick in the 2021 draft. He had a promising rookie campaign with 3,801 passing yards and 22 touchdowns to help New England make the playoffs with a 10-7 record.

Things have been going downhill for him over the past two seasons. The 25-year-old is 8-17 in his last 25 starts with nearly as many touchdowns (24) as interceptions (23) during that span.

There were reports last offseason that Bill Belichick was unhappy with Jones for going outside the organization to seek advice for how to run the offense.

Joe Dickinson, Jones' personal coach, told Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston in January there was a feeling from Jones that he "didn't feel like he had anybody on the coaching staff that could help him to get him out of jams" because there were people "learning on the job there."

Graff and Howe cited people close to the Patriots who think Jones can benefit from "leaving the scar tissue that has built up with the Patriots over three offensive coordinators in three years, poor play and several benchings."

The Patriots are in prime position to add a quarterback this offseason. They own the No. 3 pick in the draft, and quarterbacks are likely to come off the board with each of the top three picks.

New England could also look to supplement its talent by trading down to add picks, while potentially trying to sign a free agent like Kirk Cousins if the coaching staff wants a quick fix at the quarterback position.

There are plenty of reasons for both Jones and the Patriots to go their separate ways this offseason. New head coach Jerod Mayo can get a fresh start with a new quarterback. Jones can get a reset with a new organization that might be better equipped to take advantage of his skill set.