By Jack Baldinelli, ’27

Staff Writer

The New England Patriots have traded quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In return they will get a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, scheduled to take place April 25-27 in Detroit. With this decision, the question is who are the Pats going to draft as their new quarterback for the 2024 season? With a new quarterback, and a new coach after parting ways with veteran Bill Belichick, the Patriots will look a lot different this year.

Jones was the 15th overall draft pick in the 2021 draft, leading the Patriots to the playoffs after Tom Brady left and making the Pro Bowl his rookie year. But his value fell after going 2-9 this season and 18-25 as a starter with the Patriots. Jones will be playing for his hometown in Jacksonville, where reporters believe he will be Trever Lawrence’s backup. 

The Patriots were lucky to get something for a player who is on his way out, especially with Jared Mayo preparing for his first year as head coach. Now they enter the draft with the third overall pick as well as an extra sixth-round choice. Reporters say the Patriots are most likely to draft quarterback Jayden Daniels from LSU. Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Memorial Trophy and had a combined total of 123 rushing and passing touchdowns. If they take Daniels, he will be the third quarterback the Patriots have tried since Brady.