The New England Patriots have traded former first-round pick Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, per multiple reports.
After three seasons with only one playoff appearance, the Patriots are officially moving on from Mac Jones. The 15th overall selection in the 2021 draft, Jones went 10-7 during his rookie campaign and led the team to the playoffs. The future was bright for the Patriots and Jones, but over the course of the following two seasons, Jones couldn’t develop the way the franchise had hoped.
The trade is an indication that the Patriots are putting the past behind them with new decision-makers at the helm: Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo. The Patriots have reportedly been calling teams over the weekend to inquire about a possible Mac Jones trade. Now, Jones will head to his hometown and backup fellow 2021 first-round draft pick Trevor Lawrence.
Jones, 25, had his least successful season last year, completing only 64.9% of his passes for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He mustered an 8-17 record the past two seasons. The former Alabama quarterback was benched four times in favor of Patriots backup Bailey Zappe.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, four teams were interested in acquiring Mac Jones, but the Jaguars gave the best offer. A parting of ways was the best-case scenario for both teams.
In all likleyhood, Mac Jones will be a free agent next off-season, assuming the Jaguars don’t pick up Jones’ fifth-year option by the May deadline.
The trade cannot be fully processed until the new league year starts on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
More to come.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
