Proposed Blockbuster Trade Revealed Patriots Biggest ‘What If’ Moment

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick tried to shop Mac Jones early in the offseason and he could also pull out a major blockbuster trade. It didn’t happen.

Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report believes the Jones trade for a No. 2 pick was one of seven potential moves in the offseason.

The Houston Texans had the No.2 pick and they could’ve traded this pick for Jones.

“A deal that would have sent Jones to Houston and brought back a high draft pick would have been interesting for both franchises,” Ballentine discussed. “The Patriots offense took a step back last season. Jones went from going 10-7 as the starter with a QBR of 50.9 as a rookie to a 6-8 record and a QBR of 36.2.

“Sending Jones to Houston would have been a fresh start in a quarterback friendly system with Kyle Shanahan disciple Bobby Slowik at offensive coordinator,” Ballentine added. “For Belichick, it would have been the chance to start over with a blue-chip quarterback prospect in C.J. Stroud.”

Love this emotion from CJ Stroud. It’s as reflective as it gets. Thinking about all the sacrifices people in your life made for you and the setbacks you overcame. Remembering those days you felt like you were overlooked despite your hard work and you asked yourself, “Why in the… pic.twitter.com/B60ZaGZkse

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 28, 2023

The Patriots had a chance to pull out a blockbuster trade

Belichick didn’t select any quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft. He did get undrafted free agent Malik Cunningham, hoping to engage him in several different positions.

The Patriots will play each and every quarterback in training camp. Jones and his fellow quarterbacks will get a chance to prove their worth. Jones, Bailey Zappe and the rest of the guys will have to work really hard in order to earn the starting job in New England.

According to Ballentine, former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis became the “rumored No.1 pick.” He visited the Patriots and fans took notice of his visit.

Will Levis' reaction when he was drafted by the Titans ?

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/kL7gTmCNi6

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 29, 2023

“Before that rumor caught fire, there was another post that drew the attention of fans and some media, including a segment on ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’” Ballentine wrote. “A Reddit user claiming to have connections to a former director of player personnel for Alabama wrote that the Patriots had the parameters for a trade with the Houston Texans that would send the No. 14 pick, a 2023 fourth-round pick, a 2024 first-round pick and Mac Jones for the No. 2 pick.”