Patriots Free Agency- Breaking Down The Top 10 Potential Patriots Quarterbacks

The Patriots are headed into unfamiliar territory this offseason after a bottoming-out season in 2023 that saw them field the worst offense in the NFL and in turn, forced the end of the Bill Belichick regime at least two years earlier than anyone expected. Former first-round pick Mac Jones struggled mightily again in ‘23, showing that he truly does need the ideal situation around him to succeed. The Patriots need to revamp their offense this offseason- quarterback, offensive tackle, and wide receiver are the priorities.

This team needs game-changing talent, and they have to exhaust all areas to acquire it. They have options on how they will approach this, and we will know what the plan is once free agency begins. 

With the need at quarterback being real, it makes sense to scan the free agents and project who makes the most sense to be potentially taking snaps in Foxborough next fall.

Here are the top ten fits for New England, a team that will have a new offense for the first time in decades. 

Drumroll…

1. Kirk Cousins– It doesn’t make a lot of sense to go after a quarterback who will be 36 and wants roughly 35-45 million per year, especially a guy who would be a good fit for a team with a better roster. Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Denver, and Tampa Bay if they don’t re-sign Mayfield, or simply a return to the Vikings make considerably more sense than the Patriots.
2. This has nothing to do with fit- Cousins would be an immediate upgrade- I just don’t see him looking to New England and vice versa. 
3. Baker Mayfield– This would make the Patriots more competitive much faster than drafting and developing a quarterback, but the question comes down to the upside. Has Mayfield peaked? Can you win it all with him?  (I think the answer is yes.) This is something to watch because if Tampa doesn’t franchise him, New England has the most money to go out and get him. Is there any chance Tampa Bay doesn’t franchise him? No, not really.
4. It was recently reported that he had input in the offensive coordinator hire and the Bucs plan to sign him to a long-term deal. That being said, things could change and if they do, the Patriots should pounce. 
5. Gardner Minshew– If the Colts let Minshew get away, he is a perfect guy to pick up for a team that not only needs better quarterback play but could also use an injection of fun and competitiveness.
6. Minshew and his handlebar mustache bring both of those things, along with the ability to make plays and win games. Minshew has been solid every time he has been given an opportunity and would be a solid pickup for New England, especially if they draft a young QB to develop.
7. He isn’t going to be cheap considering how well he has played, which is something to keep in mind. 
8. Jacoby Brissett– I never like to say likely, but if any of these quarterbacks were to end up in New England, old friend Jacoby Brissett is the most likely choice. Brissett, like Minshew, is a great teammate and a great backup/borderline NFL starter who can help a team as a bridge to a future franchise quarterback. Brissett himself is not a franchise quarterback, but he is as solid a backup as you can find to mentor a young star, something the Patriots are likely looking to do. Brissett also played for new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt in Cleveland, another huge positive checkmark in the “coming to New England” box. If you are a bettor, putting some money on Brissett to the Patriots is a good idea. 
9. Sam Darnold– If the Patriots were to go this route, that means Darnold is coming in as a backup, and not a very good one. Darnold had all the tools coming out of USC, but he wasn’t done developing mentally, and leaving college early has not worked out for the former Trojan. Darnold is and will continue to be a physical talent who will make some amazing plays bookended by two mistakes. Darnold would be one of the last choices, but he is someone to watch considering how up in the air the Patriots quarterback situation is. 
10. Drew Lock– Lock is an interesting guy because although he has been a backup with the Seahawks, he sees himself as a starter and will likely have a few teams in free agency who see the same thing. Lock doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Patriots if they plan on drafting and developing. Lock sees himself as a guy, and although that likely isn’t the case, his mindset isn’t going to change. We just watched the dynamic with Mac and Zappe, and this could be similar. Lock only makes sense if the Patriots plan on drafting a true developmental quarterback later in the draft. 
11. Marcus Mariota– The former Heisman Trophy winner was once one of these top prospects coming out, and now he is entrenched as an NFL backup quarterback. Mariota is another guy who wouldn’t step on toes as much because he knows his role, and he is a very strong backup. Mariota, stylistically, might not be the best fit in Alex Van Pelt’s offense, but he is still very athletic and can make plays, something that this Patriots team could use, even if it is a backup quarterback. 
12. Jameis Winston– Winston is a guy who is loved by his teammates but can drive his coaches crazy. He is also talented, although he does throw a ton of interceptions. With the stunt pulled at the end of the final game of the season (faked downing the ball and handed off for the touchdown) it is fair to assume New Orleans could be looking in a different direction. One thing Winston would help with is morale and not trying to openly steal a developing starter’s job, but I don’t see him coming to the Patriots. 
13. Joe Flacco– This is an interesting scenario considering Flacco played for Van Pelt in Cleveland last year. Flacco is a guy who could come in for a year and be either a solid backup or even the starter, assuming whoever is drafted isn’t quite ready to go. Flacco showed that he can still play in the NFL, and his familiarity with the offense could help Van Pelt’s transition to New England. Flacco won’t demand huge money and there won’t be a battle for his services. Keep an eye on this because this makes a lot of sense for both parties. 
14. Tyrod Taylor– Why not? Taylor has played for half the league, so he might as well add the Patriots to his helmet collection. Taylor is a very solid backup/spot starter that every team with a young quarterback could use. He’s not getting any younger, but he showed last year with the Giants that he can still be solid enough when needed and he isn’t going to cost a ton of money. 

Chances are none of these quarterbacks come to New England and Mac Jones is retained as a guy to compete and keep the seat warm for a rookie that they take with their first-round pick, but it is important to note that Alex Van Pelt has no ties to Jones and is likely looking for a quarterback that knows his system, and there are multiple guys available that fit that description.

Either way, it is going to be interesting to watch and will have a lasting effect on the Patriots franchise for years to come.