Insider offers clarity on report Patriots HC Bill Belichick has 'shopped' Mac Jones

One New England Patriots insider believes a Tuesday report saying that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has "shopped" quarterback Mac Jones to teams this offseason doesn't "add up." 

Mark Daniels of Mass Live contacted three sources after Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio dropped his bombshell on Tuesday and wrote that the Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders were "potential destinations" for Jones this spring. 

"One NFL source said they hadn’t heard anything about the Patriots shopping Jones to any team this offseason, adding, 'That’s news to me,'" Daniels noted. "A second NFL source said the Patriots haven’t contacted the Buccaneers about Jones, saying his name 'has never come up' this offseason. A third NFL source said the Patriots have not contacted the Raiders about a trade involving Jones, either."

It's been widely reported since January that Jones angered Belichick by seeking outside help to fix New England's struggling offense during the 2022 season, Jones' second in the league. However, the Patriots have since hired Bill O'Brien to be their new offensive coordinator, in part because it's hoped O'Brien can help Jones reclaim the form that made him a Pro Bowl signal-caller as a rookie. 

Additionally, it was reported in February that Patriots owner Robert Kraft would not sign off on trading Jones before next winter, at the earliest, and when Jones' trade value is as low as it's ever been. For what it's worth, both the Raiders and Buccaneers have already gone in other directions as it pertains to their quarterback situations. 

It's unclear if the Texans or Commanders have any interest in Jones. Patriots reporter Doug Kyed of A to Z Sports wrote on Tuesday that "one source said New England hasn't received an offer for the former Alabama QB that would be worth considering." 

Daniels pointed out that the Patriots have no sure-thing replacement for Jones on their roster, as 2022 rookie Bailey Zappe remains an unproven commodity even though he produced some solid moments this past fall. New England is not expected to pursue disgruntled Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson before or after the upcoming draft. 

Daniels directly said that a potential trade involving Jones would "be surprising to me" even if there is some friction between the quarterback and Belichick.