Kyler Murray could be a legitimate QB option for the Patriots in 2024

If Mac Jones crumbles in 2023 and does not improve the way he needs to, the Patriots might sniff around the veteran QB market, and Kyler Murray might make some sense. We've seen an insane amount of QB movement in recent seasons, and Tom Brady departing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seemed to spark it.

All of Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, and other QBs have made big team switches in recent seasons. It's becoming more and more common, and it doesn't appear to be slowing down. I think Brady sparked this because other QBs realized that loyalty might be a bit overrated when you consider winning Super Bowls instead.

If Tom Brady can leave his original team, then anyone can, right? Well, more QB movement could be on the horizon in the 2024 NFL season. Mac Jones is a low-ceiling QB who I think can peak at somewhere around Kirk Cousins/Derek Carr. I think Mac Jones can be one of those QBs you can simultaneously win because of, win in spite of, and win with.

He's an average QB when he's on his game and I think there are about 20 other QBs in the NFL who are better. The Patriots are currently in a loaded AFC East playing in a loaded AFC conference. And guess what? The best teams in the conference have elite talents at the QB spot. That isn't a coincidence.

Well, the solution for the Patriots' QB situation might be outside of the organization, especially if Mac Jones falters in year three. In that case, the team likely does not make the playoffs, and might be best suited to rebuild a bit, but would Robert Kraft really approve of a rebuild? I don't think he would.

He might want whoever is in charge of the roster at that point to pursue an established QB, and Kyler Murray could be one of them. He tore his ACL against the Patriots in 2022 and with the Cardinals clearly having the worst roster in the NFL, the best move for them in the long-term might be to "tank" in 2023 and gear towards drafting Caleb Williams.

Williams is obviously younger than Murray and might be more on time with a rebuild in Arizona than Murray would. The Cardinals also seemed to reluctantly sign Murray to the massive contract extension he's currently on, so I don't think the relationship between them is that great. The Cards, with a new head coach and general manager in town, might prefer to reset their QB situation.

They could trade Kyler Murray in 2024 and save over $38 million on their cap space. They'd have to eat $13 million in dead money, but that might be pennies compared to the cap savings and the potential of Caleb Williams.

Kyler Murray is a legitimate option for the Patriots.