Rich Gannon on Z&B: Mac Jones can still salvage his career
Zolak and Bertrand are live from Radio Row in Las Vegas. Former NFL MVP and current CBS commentator Rich Gannon joined the show and weighed in on whether the career of Mac Jones can be saved, or if he’s just a lost cause:
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 17: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Is Mac Jones salvageable? Rich Gannon weighs in
“Yeah, I think he’s salvageable there’s no question about it. Look, he was 10-7 as a rookie with Josh [McDaniels] and did a lot of good things. And I thought his arrow was trending in the right direction. You know, Matt [Patricia] comes in the second year, and in fairness to the young quarterback, change around a young quarterback is not never a good thing. Then his third year, Bill O’Brien comes in and I was excited about Bill coming in because I’ve covered a lot of Bill’s games over the years in Houston even when he was with the Patriots. And I’ve got great respect for his body work and who he is as a coach. And so I really thought that would be a good marriage. I think what happened was he got off to a slow start, struggled, turned the ball over, got yanked from a game or two. And just his confidence just, you know, after what happened last year, it was just too much to overcome. I went through that in Minnesota, where I waited to get a chance to play. Finally got a chance to play. A coach never really put his arm around me and gave me that opportunity and really embraced me. I was never “the guy”, and then he kicked me to the curb. Then I had to go go to Washington for a year and then go to Kansas City and really kind of rehabilitate, if you will, kind of get my confidence back and find someone who believed in me. But, I think that’s what Mac needs.”
LISTEN: Tom Pelissero and Rich Gannon join Zolak & Bertrand
Resetting the Patriots' offensive depth charts for the 2024 offseason
The New England Patriots are turning toward building their roster for the 2024 season.
As we barrel toward Super Bowl Sunday and the start of the off-season for all 32 teams, it’s time to take stock of what the Patriots have at every position. They have plenty of familiar faces under contract, even at quarterback. But at other spots, they’re looking at a total reset. These depth charts should clue in to how the Patriots will look to augment their existing roster going forward.
Here’s a look at each position group on the offense, as it stands with players under contract with the team for 2024…
Quarterback
FOXBOROUGH, MA: Bailey Zappe of the New England Patriots warms up as Mac Jones looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Through all the turmoil, the losses, the turnovers, the Patriots are once again left with the same two quarterbacks heading into the 2024 league year: Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.
Neither young quarterback did nearly enough to consistently play winning football in 2023. Quarterback play was the principal difference between mediocrity and the bottom of the league. Jones and Zappe over 17 games combined for a 73.8 percent passer rating, a mark that would have ranked 31st in the NFL.
FOXBOROUGH, MA: Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe of the New England Patriots warm up before their game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on Sept.10, 2023. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
For those obvious reasons, it’s widely expected that the Patriots go in a new direction at quarterback in 2024. They are armed with the third overall pick and well-positioned to draft a QB. UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels are projected as possible picks for the 2-3 slots.
But of course, the Patriots will go into training camp with at least three quarterbacks on the roster. Could Jones and/or Zappe be among them? The pair costs about $3.77 in combined base salaries in 2024. So, if they’re happy to stay for the post-Bill Belichick era, they very well might. Otherwise, the Patriots will have to bring in a veteran or two to supplement their high draft pick.
Wide Receiver
Demario Douglas (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Outside
DeVante Parker
Tyquan Thornton
T.J. LutherInside
DeMario Douglas
JuJu Smith-SchusterIt’s on the outside that the Patriots could stand to improve and change the most, but they have actual bodies there, unlike other positions (you’ll see). DeVante Parker remains under contract through 2025, while Tyquan Thornton is in year three of his rookie deal. Thornton is a “stay the course” option, while cutting Parker pre-June 1 would net a small amount of cap space (via Over The Cap).
MORE: A look at every Patriots receiver ahead of the offseason
In the slot, the Patriots are in much better shape. DeMario Douglas emerged as an outlier of a largely disastrous offense. While he did line up outside on 22.8 percent of his snaps last season, Douglas projects as a slot receiver at the NFL level, but a dynamic one. The hope is that their new quarterback can make the most of Douglas’ talents over the middle of the field.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, meanwhile, is under contract for $7 million in guaranteed salary. He’s no lock to stay healthy, let alone produce. But they might as well hold onto him past June 1, because he’s owed that money, and cutting him would cost them against the cap. Can he at least work his way up to being steady, dependable veteran depth? He’ll need to prove he can stay on the field in the first place, or he could be cut loose over the summer.
…Tight End?
Hunter Henry (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Believe it or not, the Patriots have ZERO tight ends under contract for 2024. So, there’s plenty of work to do there.
Hunter Henry, however, should be considered a candidate to re-sign. Henry had a down season, like most everyone else who played offense for the Patriots in 2023, but he did grab six touchdown catches after a hot streak down the stretch. The Patriots named Henry a team captain in 2023. He resides in Massachusetts and has been active in the community. So, despite the Patriots’ troubles in 2023, Henry is likely happy to remain a cornerstone piece for the long-term.
Still, the Patriots have a whole depth chart to rebuild in 2024 and beyond. We’ll see if they want to continue the Mike Gesicki experiment and if they address the position in the draft.
Offensive Tackle
Conor McDermott (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Conor McDermott
Calvin Anderson
Vederian Lowe
Andrew StueberTrent Brown is on his way out, as he’s on the books for a void year and talked openly about switching teams late in the season. So, the Patriots are left with three journeymen and one total question mark, at one of the most important positions in football.
This is a position ripe for a high draft pick, possibly even at No. 3 with Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. But the Pats can land a good tackle prospect in the second or third round as well, and they can re-sign Mike Onwenu to keep their starting right tackle in the fold. The tackle room is thin right now, but can thicken up in a hurry.
Guard
Cole Strange (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Cole Strange
Sidy Sow
Atonio Mafi
Michael JordanThe Pats are pretty set here. Which makes it funny that they signed Michael Jordan to a futures contract as one of their first moves of the off-season. But between Strange, Sow, and Mafi, the Patriots should be able to find a guard combination that works well enough. It’s tackle that needs more work.
Center
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: David Andrews #60 of the New England Patriots and Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots celebrate after Stevenson’s rushing touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
David Andrews
Jake AndrewsDavid Andrews’ future might be somewhat up in the air, as he’s 31 years old and has acknowledged he’s near the end of his career. But he’s still under contract for 2023, as is fourth-round pick Jake Andrews for his second season. If David decides to walk away, the hope is that the younger Andrews can seamlessly take over for 2024.
