Here is how the two compare for their first three years. Looks like Mac’s heading for the bench so these numbers are basically locked in.

Mac is a former first round pick. You can get him for a few million next year, and if he hits you can pick up the 5th year option. Very little financial risk. He was fantastic his rookie year when in a competent offense. At one point the Pats had the number 1 seed in the AFC. He went to the playoffs his rookie year, and the pro bowl too. He had better stats, including wins.

And he did it in one of the worst offenses ever, both in talent and coaching. But somehow he’s too broken to take a flier on? How is there zero trade value here? Tons of desperate teams.

Sam Darnold was also a former first round pick. He already had his 5th year option picked up, so you were taking on 20+ million for the second year, and if he hits you have to extend him with real money. He did nothing his first three years. Accomplished nothing.

Darnold is clearly the worse QB, by every stat as well as the eye test. And yet when he was traded, everyone said it’s a good risk. They also said it’s proof taking QB in the first is a great gamble, because even if they bust they still maintain their trade value.

So why isn’t there any market for Jones? He’s expected to be cut in the off-season and sign as a backup somewhere if he’s lucky. How did it go so wrong so fast? A few weeks ago he was beating the Bills…

TL;DR: Mac and Darnold are both busts, but on on paper Mac looks way better in both stats and accomplishments. If the Jets got some picks for Darnold, you’d think the Pats can get something for Mac too, no?