In exchange for Mac Jones, the Jacksonville Jaguars sent a 2024 sixth-round selection to the New England Patriots.
Given that Jones was selected in the first round, his contract has a $55,664,000 fifth-year option for the 2025 campaign, with a May 2 deadline.
It’s official—the Jacksonville Jaguars have decided.
Jones had two disappointing seasons in his final two seasons, following an outstanding first campaign. He struggled for a variety of reasons, including the fact that Bill Belichick failed to develop talent around him and replaced Josh McDaniels with Matt Patricia in his second season.
During his second season, Jones suffered a high ankle injury that kept him out of three games due to Matt Patricia’s bad play calling. With a 6-8 record, he completed 288 of 442 pass attempts for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Putting Bill O’Brien in for Patricia didn’t help Jones in his third season because Belichick didn’t do a good enough job developing players around him. With a 2-9 record, he completed 224 of 345 ball attempts for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Bailey Zappe was the starting quarterback for the Patriots’ final six games after he was benched in four of the team’s eleven games.
Not just Mac Jones, however, had their fifth-year option turned down.
The fifth-year option of four of the five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft was rejected.
Jones will have competition from C.J. Beathard for Trevor Lawrence’s backup quarterback position. Following the 2024 season, Jones will be an unrestricted free agent.
Until a team determines he’s ready to start again, Jones will serve as their backup quarterback for the time being. He needs to mature a little bit.
