Four QBs the Patriots should consider targeting this offseason

The New England Patriots are embarking on a new era in franchise history after parting ways with legendary head coach Bill Belichick earlier this month following a dismal 2023 season. 

In light of how poorly the Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe experiments turned out, adding a new quarterback should be the top priority on the Patriots' offseason checklist.

Since New England can take several different avenues to find a quarterback, here are four potential candidates that the team can draft, sign or trade for this offseason. 

Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers

The easiest way for the Patriots to upgrade at quarterback is in the 2024 NFL Draft, where they hold the third overall pick, and it appears that may be their plan. During a recent interview with WBZ-TV’s Steve Burton, HC Jerod Mayo said New England is "going to draft the best player for a position that is very important." 

However, it's unclear whether the Patriots will have the choice between two of the top three quarterback prospects since the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders could address the position with the first and second picks, respectively. If Chicago trades QB Justin Fields and hangs onto the No. 1 overall pick to select his successor, chances are Daniels would be the best signal-caller available for New England. 

Daniels is perhaps the most polarizing prospect in the draft after his breakout 2023 Heisman Trophy-winning season and would be an exciting selection for New England, given his dynamic rushing ability. In 12 games this season, Daniels racked up 4,946 yards of total offense (3,812 passing, 1,134 rushing) with 50 touchdowns, the second-most in college football. 

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears

If Chicago ultimately decides to draft USC QB Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, New England should make an all-out effort to land Fields. Not only will the price to acquire the 24-year-old likely cost just a few mid-round picks, but the Patriots could be the biggest winners of April's draft if they land him.

Assuming the Bears and Commanders select their franchise quarterbacks, New England would be able to get Fields a No. 1 receiver in Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., arguably the best player in the draft. Although Fields is still a work in progress, he took a step forward as a passer this season, averaging a career-high 197.1 passing yards per game with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The addition of wideout D.J. Moore contributed significantly to Fields' improvement, and if he gets to throw to a potentially more talented receiver in Harrison, he could make another leap.

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan Wolverines 

While it might as well be a guarantee that McCarthy's NFL career won't follow the path of New England's last former Michigan quarterback, he could still be a viable prospect to develop. Despite posting a 27-1 career record as a starter and helping lead the Wolverines to a national championship win, McCarthy may fall out of the first round. 

McCarthy didn't light up stat sheets due to Michigan's run-first approach, but he was efficient, throwing for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions while posting an 88.2 QBR, the third-best in the nation. If New England doesn't add a quarterback in round one, it should seriously consider McCarthy should he be available when it is on the clock in the second round (No. 34 overall). This could still allow the Patriots to sign a veteran quarterback and have plenty of flexibility in the draft. 

Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

Should New England opt to take the bridge quarterback route, Wilson, who is expected to be released by the Denver Broncos this offseason, could be the most suitable candidate. Even though Wilson's Broncos tenure was a disaster from the get-go, he made enough strides under HC Sean Payton to warrant taking a flier on him. Wilson threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions while posting a 66.4% completion rate in 15 games before being benched for Jarrett Stidham. 

That kind of play clearly wasn't worth the five-year, $245M contract extension Wilson signed in 2022, but the Patriots would surely sign him to a cheap, short-term deal if they are interested in his services. There's little risk involved in such a move, especially considering Kirk Cousins, returning from a torn Achilles, is the top quarterback hitting the market. 

Not to mention that the Patriots have a lackluster receiving corps and offensive line, so signing someone like Wilson while the team improves the supporting cast could put the eventual long-term starter in a better position for success.