Recent reports suggested the New England Patriots were open to listening to trade offers for former first-round pick Mac Jones. And it turns out that it didn’t take too long for the team to find Jones a new home, one that Jones is quite familiar with.
Jones famously showed off a ton of promise in his rookie season, helping the team reach the postseason while also making his lone Pro Bowl appearance to date.
Unfortunately, things have gone downhill for both him individually and for the Patriots as a whole since then. That was highlighted by the team benching him for Bailey Zappe midway through the season last year.
It appears that the Patriots have seen enough from Jones, as they opted to trade him to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots will receive a sixth-round pick in return for the former Alabama product.
Trade: Patriots are finalizing a deal to send QB Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, sources tell ESPN. The trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins Wednesday and he passes a physical. The two sides were discussing a 6th-round pick, per sources.
Jones was… pic.twitter.com/dOceAGDDTm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2024
Naturally, fans had plenty to say about the move on social media.
Good luck in Jacksonville Mac, hope he gets a chance at redemption https://t.co/0XQ9A7i6yd
— Boston Diehards (@Boston_Diehards) March 10, 2024
Mac goes home to Jacksonville. Like I’ve said recently, a fresh start was best for both sides here. Part of me will always wonder what could’ve been with the #Patriots had they surrounded Mac properly. But alas. https://t.co/rdeaivVHhk
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 10, 2024
The Mac Jones era in New England has come to an end.
It’s likely a sixth-round pick that will be sent to Foxborough in exchange for Jones.
I like this for Mac, as he finds a much needed change of scenery in Jacksonville. https://t.co/IcNkSlWI7M
— PGS NEST (@NestPgs) March 10, 2024
Thrilled I don’t have to listen to the toxic Mac Jones discourse in Boston anymore.
Happy he’s going home, hoping he rehabilitates his confidence and earns an opportunity to play again at some point soon. Best of luck Mac. Baker Mayfield arc loading… https://t.co/GfhVnBiezB pic.twitter.com/GjH7BauYbG
— Chris Motta Sports (@chris_motta19) March 10, 2024
Remember when the Patriots hired Matt Patricia to be the offensive coordinator. They ruined Mac Jones. https://t.co/3yMcDeVjt7
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) March 10, 2024
On the surface, this may not seem like a deal that makes all that much sense for either side involved in this move. The Jaguars, of course, already have a franchise quarterback on their roster in Trevor Lawrence, so there really isn’t much of an avenue for Jones to see much playing time on his new team.
However, Lawrence notably played through numerous injuries last season, which seemingly affected his play. Maybe with a reliable backup option like Jones in town, the team may be less likely to have Lawrence play through injuries when they occur.
This will also notably be a homecoming of sorts for Jones. He was born in Jacksonville and grew up in the area, playing at the city’s The Bolles School in high school.
And for the Patriots, this further feeds the speculation that they will ultimately select their quarterback of the future in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
