Moments like this are never easy.
This is an emotional time.
Difficult decisions have to be made.
Listen, I love Mac Jones as much as anybody.I have ever since we first brought him home.
But he’s been suffering.
We’re all suffering.
And we have to do what’s right.
Whether that’s keeping him and trying to make him better.
Or sending him off to go live somewhere else where they can take care of him.
Or just putting him down humanely.
This is why I’ve gathered you all together.
Now, I couldn’t help but notice your reaction when I mentioned keeping Mac.
I know that’s not the consensus opinion.
But there are people who are saying we should.
Who think he not only deserves a chance to stay on the roster, but tostart.
Who believe we can still build around him.
At least one member of this family.
And he gets a vote:
Brian Hoyer:
Im going to stick up for my guy, Mac.
I know hes kind of gotten a raw deal the past few years.
I know what Macs capable of.
I witnessed it his rookie year.
I dont know if theres been a receiver thats come out in recent times thats more prepared.
… You take that any day.
That seems far-fetched to me.
And by Hoyer’s own admission, he’s not exactly neutral on the topic.
But he thinks Jones is salvageable; he just needs talent around him.
Still, he’s not taking into account the damage that has already been done.
And I think it might be best if they move on from each other, from both sides.
Weve seen him have good games in the NFL, why would we move on from him?
What’s the point of putting new people in charge if not to give guys a clean slate?
To take a stab at recover some distressed assets and make them valuable again?
Besides, he is on the last year of his rookie deal, so he’s affordable.
I mean, no one is under the delusion they’ll pick up his option for 2025.
So keeping him around makes financial sense, if nothing else.
He might be like the one who led the comeback win over Buffalo.
And this needs to be decided in the next few weeks.
During the time the quarterback market starts getting in motion, if not sooner.
(I think that metaphor works, but don’t hold me to it.)
Which brings us to the next option.
But they’re all around the same range.
Just between “Something” and “Not Much.”
Another AFC evaluator suggested the Patriots might be lucky to land a sixth-rounder.
Which strikes me as kind of low.
But ironically, Lance has the added benefit of being an unknown.
And it’s not very much.
For what it’s worth, there’s been internet chatter about Seattle being interested.
And Seahawks fan sites are extra salty about the idea:
So nobody knows.
That idea is DOA everywhere but in Brian Hoyer’s head.
The kind of low risk/high upside player already solid teams like to pick up to give them depth.
The Pats simply don’t have the leverage.
They’re motivated sellers.
So a Round 5 pick feels like a win at this point.
Take it if you’re free to get it.
And hope we never have to deal with a situation like this ever again.
Good talk, Russ.
