According to Pro Football Talk, Bill Belichick has shopped quarterback Mac Jones to a number of teams. The full list of teams isn’t known but one source said the Raiders, Texans, Buccaneers and Commanders were among the teams rumored to have spoken to the Patriots about Jones.

All of those teams have since addressed their quarterback situation so barring a last minute change in plans, none of them would be acquiring Jones.

Jones and Belichick issues last season are well documented from when Belichick appointed Matt Patricia as the primary play caller. The move proved to be disastrous and it ultimately led to Jones seeking guidance from outside sources. According to Chris Simms of PFT, Jones reached out to the Alabama offensive staff seeking input on ways the Patriots offense can improve.

When word got back to Belichick that Jones did this, he was reportedly furious and his view of Jones changed. Jones went from being a potential franchise quarterback to being in the doghouse. The play of rookie Bailey Zappe after Jones got hurt further complicated things.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft muddied the waters a little more by referring to himself as “fan” of Mac Jones at the owners meeting last week. Clearly the owner and the coach are not on the same page when it comes to the team’s quarterback situation. If they were, this would be a non issue because Kraft would have handled it behind the scenes.

Of course all of this drama between the coach and the quarterback could be pure speculation. The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan said that sources that he has spoken to do not believe that the Patriots have actually shopped Jones.

Checking with league sources today, I found no belief the #Patriots will trade Mac Jones. One team source called the “shopped” report nonsense. It struck others around the league as likely old news overstated. Jones was in the building today and has been regularly, per sources.

— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) April 5, 2023

Regardless, where there is smoke, there is fire. If nothing else, Belichick is still resentful about what happened last season and that is why he is not committing to Jones as the starter next season.

The whole situation is complicated and not as cut and dry as some might think. Chances are Jones stays put but knowing Belichick, anything is possible so stay tuned. This saga is far from over.