According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former Alabama standout quarterback Mac Jones was traded by the New England Patriots to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
“Trade: Patriots are finalizing a deal to send QB Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, sources tell ESPN,” writes Schefter. “Until the new league year starts on Wednesday and he passes a physical, the trade cannot be completed. According to insiders, the teams were debating a sixth-round selection. Jones has the opportunity to return home to Jacksonville, where he was born.”
Before the current season began, the Jaguars were expected to make the playoffs; instead, they ended with a 9-8 record and were not selected. Despite having a lackluster season, starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence is still considered the best option, with Jones and C.J. Beathard vying for the backup job.
Lawrence prevailed in the first matchup with his new partner, despite Jones not being the starter at the time, as Clemson crushed the Crimson Tide 44-16 in the 2019 College Football National Championship. However, on January 2, 2022, when the two faced off as starters in the NFL, Jones led the Patriots to a commanding 50-10 win over the Jaguars.
Along with wide receiver Calvin Ridley and offensive tackle Cam Robinson, Jones is the third current Jaguars player from Alabama. However, Ridley is a free agent and may not play for the team during Jones’ Jacksonville campaign.
Throughout his time in New England, the 15th overall choice in the 2021 NFL Draft failed, but he was particularly bad in 2023 as the Patriots finished with their worst record (4-13) since 1992. He was benched several times in the middle of games throughout the regular season and was finally dropped to the third-string position on the depth chart late in the season. With 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, the 25-year-old quarterback has completed 224 passes for 2,120 yards through 11 games. Jones was born in Jacksonville, as Schefter mentioned, and he now gets to play in front of the supporters in his hometown and the team he grew up admiring. Even as the No. 2 pick, this new beginning with a playoff-caliber team should improve his NFL career trajectory.
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