It appears the Patriots are available in the market for an additional quarterback.
Latest England brass has “investigated” adding a veteran quarterback following the discharge of longtime backup Brian Hoyer, in line with a latest report, as trade rumors about Mac Jones, proceed to swirl.
“The Patriots have at the least investigated bringing in a veteran QB so as to add to their young room,” NFL reporter Mike Giardi said Thursday.
Hoyer, a 14-year veteran, spent the past three seasons in Latest England, where he worked alongside Jones, the franchise’s 2021 first-round pick, and Bailey Zappe, who was a rookie in 2022.
The 37-year-old Hoyer signed a two-year cope with the Raiders on Tuesday, reuniting him with former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Although Hoyer had been a longtime staple in Latest England, it appears he — very like Jones — took issue with the team’s offense last season when Matt Patricia and Joe Judge were on the helm.
“Brian Hoyer was not sold on what was happening last yr, and I believe he let that be known that Mac was up against it on a weekly basis. And I believe that’s a big portion of why Hoyer’s not here,” longtime Patriots reporter Tom E. Curran said last week on WEEI’s “Jones & Mego” show.
“The Patriots would let you know otherwise, but they’re paying him $1.4 million to not be here and never be a part of the system.”
Giardi offered the same sentiment Thursday in his report, tweeting, “Could have had Hoyer back it seems, but he too had issues with the offensive setup in 2022-23, just as [wide receiver] Jakobi Meyers, Mac and others did.”
The 24-year-old Jones “really pissed Bill Belichick off” when he sought help outside of the organization amid the team’s offensive struggles, Curran also alleged.
Belichick didn’t commit to Jones because the Patriots’ starter when speaking on the NFL owners’ meetings in Phoenix last week.
Allegations of discord between the 2 only continued this week, with Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reporting that the longtime Patriots coach has shopped Jones to multiple teams this offseason.
Albert Breer of The MMQB and NBC Sports Boston confirmed Thursday that Jones “got here up in trade discussions with a pair teams.”
The Buccaneers, Commanders, Raiders and Texans were referenced as potential landing spots in Florio’s report.
Jones had a powerful rookie season with the Patriots, throwing for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions through 17 regular season games.
He also earned a Pro Bowl nod because the Patriots earned a wild-card spot.
His production dipped in Yr 2, when he played in 14 regular season games and sustained an ankle injury in September, recording 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
The Patriots have since made coaching changes, adding former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien to their staff in January.