NFL Rumors: 3 teams that would beg for Kirk Cousins if Vikings move on

NFL Rumors: Kirk Cousins could take over Patriots offense if Mac Jones stinks

We’re still trying to decipher how exactly Bill Belichick thought that the combination of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge running the New England Patriots offense last season. Alas, it might be among the location of Atlantis as the great mysteries of the world. But we do know that the mistake has been remedied with the hiring of Bill O’Brien this offseason.

Say what you will about O’Brien’s tenure as the head coach and general manager of the Houston Texans, as an offensive mind in the NFL, he’s proven that he has the goods. But for the Patriots, that actually puts all of the pressure on Mac Jones.

Jones, to put it plainly, was tough to watch in his second pro season a year ago. He failed to hit 3,000 yards passing and had just 14 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions.

Even though New England used a first-round pick on Jones, there have been rumblings throughout the offseason that Belichick is unhappy with the returns on that investment. And this could perhaps be a last-ditch effort with the former Alabama quarterback this season with the change at coordinator along with adding to the wide receiver group with a headliner of JuJu Smith-Schuster.

If it doesn’t work out, Belichick is no longer a spring chicken. He wants to compete and contend now. So if he doesn’t believe Jones is the guy, then moving on to a veteran option would make sense. And Kirk Cousins would be the best possible option. In fact, he might also be the right option to get the Patriots back to relevancy in the loaded AFC East.