QB Trace McSorley finds new NFL home with Pats

[SoxJox]

Former Penn State QB Trace McSorley finds new NFL home, reunites with former teammate

McSorley, the former Penn State star, has signed with the New England Patriots as an unrestricted free agent. The franchise announced the move on Thursday afternoon.

McSorley will reunite with former Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki, who signed a one-year deal with the Patriots last month. McSorley and Gesicki were key cogs in Penn State’s 2016 Big Ten championship, as well as Rose and Fiesta Bowl appearances.

McSorley will be mentored by Bill O’Brien, who is back in New England as offensive coordinator. O’Brien and his Penn State staff recruited McSorley but never offered him a scholarship out of high school. McSorley committed to James Franklin’s Vanderbilt and later followed Franklin to Happy Valley when O’Brien left.

McSorley is entering his fifth season in the NFL after an illustrious career with the Nittany Lions. He set all-time program records for passing yards, passing touchdowns and total offense, all of which were eclipsed by four-year starter Sean Clifford in 2022.

 

[axx]

He's only had meaningful snaps in one game - A start against Tampa last year on Christmas night. Arizona nearly won too but Brady did what Brady does. They must have liked the tape from that one?

 

[Cellar-Door]

I would guess they like that he can mimic some of the more athletic QBs in practice

 

[SoxJox]

I would think that given their previous relationship, if anyone can maximize McSorley's potential, it would be BoB.

 

[Granite Sox]

Never played for BoB, but was recruited by him. So with whatever changes O’Brien will be introducing to the offense, I imagine Mac will have familiarity with the Alabama concepts and McSorley will have shown playing style characteristics conducive to whatever O’Brien-era PSU was recruiting him for (plus Gesecki). I’m with @Cellar-Door in that he’s probably a (very very) poor man’s practice version of Dak/Allen/Tua/Hurts/Russ (he is/was a gamer who will tuck the ball, run around and go “off platform” when plays break down).

 

[leftfieldlegacy]

I would guess they like that he can mimic some of the more athletic QBs in practice

This was my initial thought as well, plus he could be useful in some RPO/wildcat formation plays.

 

[Saints Rest]

In another thread, someone linked a quote from Sean Payton opining that he could imagine McSorley on a Julian Edelman track. Considering that BOB was OC when Edelman joined the Pats, could he be thinking of trying that path out again?

 

[OnTheBlack]

In another thread, someone linked a quote from Sean Payton opining that he could imagine McSorley on a Julian Edelman track. Considering that BOB was OC when Edelman joined the Pats, could he be thinking of trying that path out again?

He’s not close to the athlete Edelman was though.

 

[SoxJox]

He’s not close to the athlete Edelman was though.

I don't think you've watched much of McSorley. I'll grant that he may not be as athletic, but he ain't far off.

 

[Harry Hooper]

I don't think you've watched much of McSorley. I'll grant that he may not be as athletic, but he ain't far off.

Combine results for 40-yard dash were 4.51 for Edelman and 4.57 for McSorley. Julian had better 3-cone time (6.62 vs. 7.09)

 

[Cellar-Door]

Combine results for 40-yard dash were 4.51 for Edelman and 4.57 for McSorley. Julian had better 3-cone time (6.62 vs. 7.09)

Edelman was a better quick twitch athlete, see the 10 yard, cone and shuttle times, plus the jumps.
McSorely is a good QB athlete, and he's bigger, so see above, both good QB athletes, but see below vs. WRs:


THose differences make a big change in relative athleticism vs. WRs, suddenly only the shuttle is a good time for McSorley while Edelman gets a big bump on the quick acceleration and change of direction numbers.

McSorley is a QB, I really doubt he was signed with the intent of anything else.

 

[Harry Hooper]

THose differences make a big change in relative athleticism vs. WRs, suddenly only the shuttle is a good time for McSorley while Edelman gets a big bump on the quick acceleration and change of direction numbers.

McSorley is a QB, I really doubt he was signed with the intent of anything else.

Great info, thanks.