The New England Patriots 2023 season went opposite what most fans expected, leading many to question what roster moves will be made. With the team sitting with a 3-11 record and in the mix for a top-3 pick in next year's draft, it's time to start considering the players who don’t deserve to stick around for the rebuild or ascent back into contention.
Here are five Patriots who should be looking for a new team next season.
#1 Patriots player who should not be on the roster: Mac Jones
Mac Jones is the number one player on this list because he has failed to live up to his potential. Although Jones has been dealt an unfair hand with his weapons and coaching over the last few seasons, he has not proved that he is talented enough to be a franchise quarterback. Jones has thrown 12 interceptions this season and effectively quit halfway through.
.@AlbertBreer: Energy from offense with Bailey Zappe as starting QB is an indictment on Mac Jones 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/UhhtkrmUKV
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) December 18, 2023
The Patriots are going to draft a quarterback this season, which means the end of the road for Jones in New England. I have no interest in seeing Jones as the backup quarterback, so the Patriots should look to get rid of him. I think it would be best for both sides to have a fresh start.
#2 Patriots player who should not be on the roster: Tyquan Thornton
The Patriots' wide receivers have been some of the worst in the NFL this season, so it should be no surprise that the position will be featured on this list. Up first is Tyquan Thornton, who the Patriots drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Thornton has underperformed in his first two seasons, only having a few standout performances.
Thornton joins a list of Patriots receivers drafted by Bill Belichick who have failed to live up to their potential. It seems that every time he has had a chance to make a big play this season, he has failed.
#3 Patriots player who should not be on the roster: Juju Smith-Schuster
The second wide receiver featured on this list is “marquee” free agent signing Juju Smith-Schuster. The former Super Bowl winner with the Kansas City Chiefs has been a disaster in New England, missing games due to injury and failing to perform when on the field. Smith-Schuster appears to have little left in the tank and lost most of his explosiveness.
Although Smith-Schuster is due money over the next few years, the Patriots should look to cut bait with the wide receiver.
#4 Patriots player who should not be on the roster: Chad Ryland
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Patriots became the first team in league history to select a kicker and a punter in the same draft. The kicker, Chad Ryland, has not performed well this season and should not be on the roster moving forward.
He has arguably been the worst kicker in the NFL this season, highlighting a wasted pick in the fourth round. It also demonstrates another poor roster decision made by Bill Belichick, who released Nick Folk during initial roster cuts, and the 39-year-old has been thriving with his new team in Tennessee.
Chad Ryland's nightmare season continues, wide left from 41 yards.
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 17, 2023
He's now 12 for 19 this year for a .632 FG percentage that ranks last out of 38 kickers
#5 Patriots player who should not be on the roster: J.C. Jackson
When the Patriots traded for J.C. Jackson this season, it was a head-scratching move. The decision to trade for the cornerback has proven poor, as Jackson hasn't been consistent or reliable for the Patriots this season.
Overall, Jackson was brought in to bring stability and experience to a thin cornerback room, and he did not provide that at times.
J.C. Jackson was in the locker room pregame. No one seems to know what happened to him thereafter.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 17, 2023
It will be interesting to see how the Patriots handle their personnel decisions this offseason.