How Good Does Mac Have To Be To Get His Option Picked Up?

[XLIX]

What is it with fans on this board and worrying about Krafts money?

Nobody here cares about Kraft's money. What we care about is the salary cap ramifications of keeping Jones on the roster.

Would you rather have Jones or Zappe plus roughly $20 million in cap space to spend elsewhere...? I hope Jones plays well enough to earn his option year, but I do not see it as a sure thing.

 

[captain stone]

4,200 passing yards, 65% completion rate, 27 TD passes, and 14 interceptions is my benchmark for picking up the 5th year option.

Or 247 yards, 65%, comp rate 1.58 TD passes, and .82 interceptions a game.

Don't forget yards per attempt; I wanna see it improve to 7.25 from the 6.8 last season, but without the corresponding uptick in picks... Last season nobody worth a **** had as high an INT % with that low a YPA as Mac did.

Zappy's ypa was 8.5, fwiw...

 

[Real fan 02]

On this team, all Mac needs to do apparently to have his 5th year picked-up is to play as well at his position in 2023 as Isaiah Wynn did at his position in 2021.

@captain stone as you can see from the stats I put up from last season.. I'd like to think we'd be incredibly better...

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Yes, of course.. rham was there in 2021 as well. The red zone wasn't necessarily a Mac issue as you know it was whole offense issue.. O line, scheming, play calling or lack there of. Point I'm making is Mac projects to be better.. and we need to want him to become a franchise QB.. he showed promise his rookie season.

The backs I've mentioned he can lean on.. all the pressure doesn't need to be on him when you have rham and other versatile backs along with 6'5 targets in gisikie and Henry in the red zone. So I made mention that with efficiency, scheming, play design, effective play calling, Mac being able to audile at the line take them out of bad plays in the red zone Mac and the offense can become much more effective in the red zone.

I'm on "Team Hoping to go the right direction" too

I like adding some bodies on the line. I think he, and the offense, need to be better. It's nice that with the run game and D he doesn't have to play out of his mind - often the worst way to play - and that he can stay within himself and succeed, gradually building his game.

We have a huge tendency to catastrophize our weaknesses here. Shore them up to middle of the pack, that's my thing. You can't find a cap-unfriendlier combination than the star QB to star receiver connection. We might be looking at what we can get outside of that world.

 

[captain stone]

@captain stone as you can see from the stats I put up from last season.. I'd like to think we'd be incredibly better...

Take away Zappy's contribution, and those passing statistics would be even worse.

 

[stinkypete]

Daniel Jones might be a good comparison. Like Mac, he struggled early in his career, but got a big extension after not only leading his team to the playoffs but winning a playoff game. Before that it was murky whether the Giants were going to bring him back. So Mac may have to get into the playoffs and win at least one game to show the Pats coaching staff that's he worth keeping around.

Daniel Jones is the right comp, but I view him as more of a cautionary tale. If the Giants had exercised the 5th year option they could have an additional evaluation year for a cap hit that would put him near the bottom of the league among starters who are not on a rookie deal. Instead he played just well enough to force the team's hand into keeping him, and the market dictated giving him top 10 money when top 20 is likely his ceiling.

If Mac winds up a stud we will have to pay him regardless. I think we are in a better position to content year to year if we take advantage of the 5th year option, even if we are not convinced he is the guy. If Mac is able to return to 2021 form, he is worth it, it's Garoppolo/Geno Smith money.

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm on "Team Hoping to go the right direction" too

I like adding some bodies on the line. I think he, and the offense, need to be better. It's nice that with the run game and D he doesn't have to play out of his mind - often the worst way to play - and that he can stay within himself and succeed, gradually building his game.

We have a huge tendency to catastrophize our weaknesses here. Shore them up to middle of the pack, that's my thing. You can't find a cap-unfriendlier combination than the star QB to star receiver connection. We might be looking at what we can get outside of that world.

I'm with you!!.. even if we end up being said a middling offense say 13th or 15th.. that would be enough with improved special teams and elite defense to be a team that could contender.. we can become a complete team if we play to the potential, they are a game plan specific offense,. And defense. That's the hallmark of all BBs coached teams.

 

[mgteich]

IMO, unless Mac is terrible, it is very likely that we will pick up the option. Otherwise, how much do you expect to get out of him, for a 4th year QB that we don't want to keep?

To me, picking up the option does NOT rule out trying to find a QB. It is insurance policy and competition for the new QB (s).

CHOICE 1
Have a backup or starting QB for $26M for 2 years, while the team tries to sign the QB of the future (which could be Mac). This a 5 year cycle until we find a franchise QB who is willing to sign a long-term contract.

CHOICE 2
Have a disgruntled QB for $3M a year, who you will likely try to trade and get someone else and a backup for the 2024 season.

CHOICE 3
Try to sign Mac to a long-term contract extension.

 

[XLIX]

IMO, unless Mac is terrible, it is very likely that we will pick up the option. Otherwise, how much do you expect to get out of him, for a 4th year QB that we don't want to keep?

Seems to me that if you don’t pick up the option then you have a highly, highly motivated 4th year QB because that suddenly becomes a contract year. See Jones, Daniel.

 

[Hyped]

Don't forget yards per attempt; I wanna see it improve to 7.25 from the 6.8 last season, but without the corresponding uptick in picks... Last season nobody worth a **** had as high an INT % with that low a YPA as Mac did.

Zappy's ypa was 8.5, fwiw...

YPA has two factors….one the personnel you are throwing to (do you have big bodied slow poke wr and tes?)…and two your risk aversion (how willing are you to throw into deep tight windows? remember Micah Hyde picking off Mac in the playoff game? The NFL has guys that can cover a lot of grass in a hurry)….

I wouldn’t worry about YPA as long as passing yardage and TD’s are up, IMO.

 

[RIpats88]

I’m not concerned about Kraft’s $$$ in the least, I’m concerned about players who aren’t worth it consuming big chunks of their cap space. Same goes for grossly overpaid WR’s, CB’s etc…. If a player is truly All Pro/elite then I’m ok with spending that much to either keep them or get them, if they are mediocre and that’s the price I want nothing to do with it, that’s how you end up with a ****ty team. As I have said in other it’s I would consistently draft QB’s high until they find a true franchise QB.

My point is more that, if Mac shows he is pretty good, say 4K yards 27tds. even if its not "all pro/elite" I don't see how you don't pick it up.

If you refuse to pay any QB who isnt "All pro/elite" after their first 3 years that is no way to build a team. keep going into the lottery every 3-4 years and letting alot of decent QB's go..Doesn't mean you don't keep drafting though

 

[RIpats88]

Making the playoffs might be a stretch... we are the least talented team by far in the division and thats reality.

You could be right, but once the regular season starts things tend to play out differently than we expect in the off-season.

 

[Triumph]

It’s in the article - $23.7M. Mac is in “tier 3” because he is not a Pro Bowler (while he did play in one, it was as a substitute which AFAIK doesn’t qualify).

Mac ran for a Pro Bowl TD too, but it didn't count.

 

[Triumph]

Jared Goff: 4,438 yards 29 TDs 7 INTs 99.3 rating

Kirk Cousins: 4,547 yards 29 TDs 14 INTs 92.5 rating

Geno Smith: 4,282 yards 30 TDs 11 INTs 100.9 rating

The pats would be a dangerous team with this level of QB play. These are above average veteran QBs earning outside the top 10 in APY. The pats should be looking elsewhere if they can’t get similar production from mac IMO.

All the Pats need is solid QB play to be a serious post season team.

Like Brady was in 2001. He was on a short leash and did just enough for the whole team to win.

 

[Real fan 02]

IMO, unless Mac is terrible, it is very likely that we will pick up the option. Otherwise, how much do you expect to get out of him, for a 4th year QB that we don't want to keep?

To me, picking up the option does NOT rule out trying to find a QB. It is insurance policy and competition for the new QB (s).

CHOICE 1
Have a backup or starting QB for $26M for 2 years, while the team tries to sign the QB of the future (which could be Mac). This a 5 year cycle until we find a franchise QB who is willing to sign a long-term contract.

CHOICE 2
Have a disgruntled QB for $3M a year, who you will likely try to trade and get someone else and a backup for the 2024 season.

CHOICE 3
Try to sign Mac to a long-term contract extension.

To me, the organization is going to do everything NOT to pay the going rate for good QB play be it Mac, Bailey or another guy.

Goat spoiled them during the years with taking less for the greater good of the team.. so that's likely what the organization will be harping on. (Obviously no one I can confidently say will surpass what GOAT did for this organization)

I'm fully expecting Mac to bounce back and look like the QB he was ascending to become prior to last season. I believe he is the future of this franchise, and he'll be offered a good contract in the form or escalators, bonuses, incentives ect. If Goat couldn't get 25/Mill. At that time then I doubt they pay a QB north of 30 Mill. Just my thinking..

 

[RodThePat]

I won't give a numbers estimate because I have to see it to understand the context of what he looked like. Is he being asked to be the main driver of the offense and succeeding? Has he shown an ability to come from behind? Can he win games when the defense and running game are struggling? That's what I want an answer for, or at the very least a strong indication a positive answer might be on the horizon. Otherwise, if the defense is dominating, the running game is chugging and he's playing with a lead and making few mistakes operating mostly out of play action and the short game, I think there are 25 guys who can do that, even if the box score looks pristine. Now, I don't expect that to be the case with the slate of quarterbacks they have coming up, very likely if the Patriots succeeed in 2023, QB play will have to be a huge part of it.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

These are the offensive stats from last year.. sorry but.. we can't possibly be worse....

Read your own post, and replace all those rankings with 32 (or lower)

Hyperbole isn't helping your case. He's bad, but can indeed get worse. I shudder to remind you, because then I have to remember it too, of the Cam Newton era.

Four more months of wondering whether 2021 was Peak Mac or whether we're resuming Mac interrupted. And by the way for anybody who forgot we're all dying.

Okay sorry that was a little morbid. But I am getting a bit impatient here.

 

[Real fan 02]

Read your own post, and replace all those rankings with 32 (or lower)

Hyperbole isn't helping your case. He's bad, but can indeed get worse. I shudder to remind you, because then I have to remember it too, of the Cam Newton era.

Four more months of wondering whether 2021 was Peak Mac or whether we're resuming Mac interrupted. And by the way for anybody who forgot we're all dying.

Okay sorry that was a little morbid. But I am getting a bit impatient here.

Lol no worries my friend.. I get your impatience, but I urge you to look into the stats I provided you.. and really look at them.. you seriously? With an open mind? Everything that has transpired last season and this offseason truly believe we could be worse that that?

Mac isn't bad . He wasn't drafted to be bad.. he was drafted on what his intangibles are. His accuracy his ability to read and analyze defenses, he showed all of that in 2021.. top 10 in offense, top 5 in red zone.. wasn't a fluke.

 

[Real fan 02]

I won't give a numbers estimate because I have to see it to understand the context of what he looked like. Is he being asked to be the main driver of the offense and succeeding? Has he shown an ability to come from behind? Can he win games when the defense and running game are struggling? That's what I want an answer for, or at the very least a strong indication a positive answer might be on the horizon. Otherwise, if the defense is dominating, the running game is chugging and he's playing with a lead and making few mistakes operating mostly out of play action and the short game, I think there are 25 guys who can do that, even if the box score looks pristine. Now, I don't expect that to be the case with the slate of quarterbacks they have coming up, very likely if the Patriots succeeed in 2023, QB play will have to be a huge part of it.

All we have to do is look at the production from Daniel jones. He's the best comparison to use. As his production at the QB position is wich led his team to the playoffs. Mac is capable of that and beyond. Mac will have support.. a great RB group led by Rham a nice mix of WRs and TEs.

An improved special teams unit, a dominant defense and let's not forget how much better all around the play calling and play design will be under BOB.

So it will be important for the offense to start fast and look fluid early on so Mac can stay in rhythm.

 

[RodThePat]

All we have to do is look at the production from Daniel jones. He's the best comparison to use. As his production at the QB position is wich led his team to the playoffs. Mac is capable of that and beyond. Mac will have support.. a great RB group led by Rham a nice mix of WRs and TEs.

An improved special teams unit, a dominant defense and let's not forget how much better all around the play calling and play design will be under BOB.

So it will be important for the offense to start fast and look fluid early on so Mac can stay in rhythm.

To me Daniel Jones isn't worth the contract he got in any way, that's the formula for being stuck with a guy that can only be as good as his environment and won't elevate a team while paying 40 million for that privilege. I guess maybe that level of performance would warrant Mac's 5th year option being picked up, but surely not an extension at the price he'd command.