The latest report from NFL.com's Ian Rapoport has revealed that even after the firing of Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots are still "likely" to trade former first-round pick Mac Jones this offseason.
However, even after enduring a tumultuous three seasons with the Patriots, Jones is still seemingly holding out hope he can make things right in New England.
According to NFL insider Dov Kleiman, the once-promising young quarterback recently liked a post on Twitter with picture of him and Roger Goodell from when he was drafted, with the caption of "run it back."
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While likes on social media don't always equate to endorsements or even agreements, it certainly continues to paint the image of Jones wanting to earn his spot back in New England under new coach Jerod Mayo.
Jones was pictured in workout gear at Mayo's introductory press conference, which, as reported by Greg Bedard, apparently drew ire from his teammates who said he cleaned out his locker at season's end.
However, even with Mayo's recent hints of wanting to take a quarterback with the Patriots' No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, he hasn't given the notion that the team is deadset on moving Jones.
Even if the Patriots decide to give Jones another year, it'd likely be as the backup to whoever they bring into the quarterback room. If New England doesn't select a quarterback at No. 3 and instead trades down, as a recent report has suggested, they are said to be targeting a veteran in free agency.
Considering the availability of current Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield, who played under Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt in Cleveland, it seems like New England will have their pick of the litter in free agency.
Related: Trade ‘Likely’ for Patriots QB Jones
Which makes Jones's future in Foxboro more unclear. If the Patriots sign a veteran in free agency, who's to say they don't try and do what the New York Jets failed to do last offseason with Aaron Rodgers and Zach Wilson? The Patriots could sign the 35-year-old Cousins to not only be the franchise quarterback but also to mentor Jones until the latter retires.
Or... the Patriots just draft a rookie and cut their losses by trading Jones away.