How Eliot Wolf addressed Mac Jones’ future with Patriots
INDIANAPOLIS — No. 1 on the Patriots’ priority list at the NFL Scouting Combine is to figure out the team’s plan at quarterback.
And that includes what to do with the current quarterbacks on the Patriots’ roster, Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. The Patriots hold the No. 3 overall pick in a draft with a pretty clear top three at QB. And there are free-agent options available, including Baker Mayfield, whom de facto GM Eliot Wolf, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney all know well.
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“I’d say there’s a lot of options on the table,” Wolf said Tuesday morning at a podium at the combine. “I’m glad you asked about Mac and Bailey. We’re not going to be a program that’s talking about these guys in terms of, through the media, we’re gonna we’re gonna do what’s best for the team behind the scenes and the strategy of that is going to be myself, Jerod Mayo, Matt Groh, and we’re going to try to do the right thing for the team.”
Wolf was part of the front office that drafted Jones with the 15th overall pick in 2021 and Zappe with a fourth-round pick in 2022. Jones had a solid rookie season that ended with a playoff appearance but has struggled in ensuing seaons. Zappe was a solid backup in 2022 but also faltered as a starter in 2023.
Wolf was asked what he’s learned about evaluating quarterbacks since taking Jones.
“I think the main thing is just trying to do everything we can to support that person once we get them in the building. We’re going to make the best decision we can in terms of who that person is – if we decide to go quarterback at No. 3. But really putting every resource into everything we have into that person to support them and make sure that we get the best version of themself.
Wolf was asked a question unrelated to Jones about body language at quarterback. Jones’ on-field body language improved in 2023 after a frustrating 2022 campaign when his outbursts became a talking point in the media and rubbed some people in the organization the wrong way.
“Body language on the field is very important at that position,” Wolf said. “You don’t want a guy that’s throwing his hands up after a bad play, or you can see him physically pointing at somebody. Body language is important. Everybody’s looking at the quarterback.”