GM Wolf addresses Jones situation, says team will meet with top QBS
INDIANAPOLIS — Tops 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.
“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 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 seasons. Zappe was a solid backup in 2022 but 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.”
Meanwhile, Wolf said the Patriots will meet with those top three QBS: USC’S Caleb Williams, UNC’S Drake Maye and LSU’S Jayden Daniels this week in Indianapolis. A source told the Herald the Patriots plan to meet with most of the QBS at the combine through formal and informal interviews.
Other top QB prospects include Michigan’s J.J. Mccarthy, Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington’s Michael Penix. Williams is regarded as the top QB prospect in the draft, but other evaluators are torn on how to order Maye and Daniels after him.
Wolf said all options are on the table with what to do with the No. 3 overall pick, including a trade. He said the draft will be a collaborative effort, but that he would make the pick in the first round.
As for what qualities Wolf looks for in quarterback, leadership is paramount.
“First of all being someone that can elevate his teammates,” Wolf said. “Someone that your teammates want to play for. I think that’s an extremely underrated thing that people don’t really talk about that much. Leadership’s important and obviously physical talent. We wouldn’t be talking about these guys if they weren’t physically talented.”
Wolf was asked if it would be a good idea to drop a young quarterback onto a roster with significant holes. He seemed relatively confident the team could patch some of those holes in their goal to regain “respectability.”
The Patriots’ biggest needs, beyond quarterback, are positions that directly impact the QB at wide receiver, tight end and offensive tackle. Fortunately for Wolf and the Patriots, wide receiver and offensive tackle are also strengths of this draft.