The Patriots are still searching for Tom Brady’s long-term replacement five years later.
There will not be a return of Mac Jones to the New England Patriots. Jones was dealt Sunday to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round draft pick, according to several reports.
However, the trade cannot be set in stone and become official until Wednesday’s start of the new league year.
It is the conclusion of a underwhelming three-year era for Jones as the Patriots starting quarterback, following on the heels of Cam Newton and attempting to fill Brady’s shoes and living in his enormous shadow.
After he was the No. 15 overall pick out of the University of Alabama, and fifth quarterback taken in the 2021 draft, Jones went 18-24 in 42 starts under center, with 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions, leading the Patriots to a playoff berth as a rookie before he was yanked out of games multiple times over the last two years for Bailey Zappe. The departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to become the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coach was the first of several changes, both coaching- and personnel-wise, that stunted Jones’ development.
In 2022, former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick turned to his longtime defensive coach Matt Patricia as the team’s offensive playcaller, putting him in charge of installing his new vision for the offense. Special teams coach Joe Judge was named quarterbacks coach. The relationship with Patricia, Judge and Jones did not produce any magic or the desired results, with Jones finishing 288 of 442 for 2,997 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. An ankle injury in the opening weeks of the season also hampered Jones, who lamented about on-field decisions that he could have handled more professionally.
It is unlikely that Jones’ presence on the roster would have deterred the new-look Patriots from going after a new starting signal caller in free agency and/or the draft.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut now the job is officially up for grabs, which could greatly impact the Patriots’ plans with the No. 3 pick and make it less likely that the New York Football Giants can trade up from No. 6 for Jayden Daniels out of LSU, Drake Maye from the University of North Carolina or Michigan Wolverines J.J. McCarthy.
The trade also sets a price for the Jets as they try to trade fellow 2021 draft pick Zach Wilson, whose three-year tenure was even more of a disaster than Jones’. In fact, five of Jones’ 18 victories came against the Jets.
Four franchises were interested in trading for Jones’ services, according to NFL Network. Will any of the others turn to pursuing Wilson?
The Jets granted Wilson, the former No. 2 pick and his agent permission to seek a trade.
Trey Lance, the No. 3 pick in that same draft class, was traded prior to last season from the San Francisco 49ers to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick.
The first quarterback taken in that now notorious first round was Jones’ new teammate, Pro Bowler Trevor Lawrence.
The Jaguars have veteran C.J. Beathard under contract for one more season, so it is a strong possibility that he and Jones will battle it out to be No. 2.
A once-promising 2023 season for the Jaguars went up in smoke when Lawrence injured his ankle and then his shoulder, leading to a 1-5 finish that resulted in missing the playoffs.
The Jaguars certainly will decline the $23.3 million fifth-year option for 2025 on Jones’ contract by the May deadline, making him an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
Jones played high school football at The Bolles School in Jacksonville.
