Nancy Turner
Mar 10, 2024 - 06:00

Reports Patriots trade QB Mac Jones Jaguars

New England Patriots to trade QB Mac Jones to Jacksonville Jaguars for late-round pick, signaling end to Jones' time with team.

The latest reports indicate that the New England Patriots are set to trade quarterback Mac Jones, a former first-round pick, to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a late-round draft pick. This trade, which is still pending until the new league year starts, would see Jones, a Jacksonville native, move to the Jaguars in return for a sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft.

Jones, who was selected as the 15th pick in the 2021 draft out of Alabama, has had a mixed career in New England. While he started strong and even made the Pro Bowl in his rookie year, his performance declined over the past two seasons, leading to the Patriots deciding not to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season.

With the Patriots holding the No. 3 pick in this year's draft, they have the opportunity to select a top-rated quarterback to potentially replace Jones. Bailey Zappe, a fourth-round pick in 2022, has been listed as the current starter on the team's unofficial depth chart, with Jones and Nathan Rourke following behind.

Jones played under various offensive coordinators during his time in New England, including Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia, Joe Judge, and Bill O'Brien. Despite completing 66.1 percent of his passes for nearly 9,000 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions in 42 games, Jones fell out of favor with the coaching staff, ultimately leading to this trade to Jacksonville.

The quarterback landscape from the 2021 draft class has seen mixed results, with only Trevor Lawrence cementing his role as the starter for the Jaguars. Other top picks like Trey Lance, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields have faced challenges in their respective teams, with trade rumors swirling around some of them.

As the NFL offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how these young quarterbacks develop and whether Jones can find success in his new home with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stay tuned for more updates as the trade becomes official and the new season approaches.