It was evident after he’d been benched a handful of times during the 2023 season in favor of Bailey Zappe that Mac Jones’ time with the New England Patriots was coming to a close.
After three disappointing seasons in which he threw 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions, Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2024 sixth-round pick the day after free agency began — a move he says both sides agreed was in each’s best interest.
“We kind of just decided the mutual parting of ways was the best decision for both of us,” Jones said, via the Boston Herald. “For me, it was just about moving on and getting back home, and I couldn’t be more excited. And for them, it’s about moving forward and turning the page. So really, that’s what we decided, and I think it’s a great decision.
After a promising rookie season in which he threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and made the Pro Bowl, Jones regressed each of the following two seasons while struggling to find any consistency under offensive play-caller Matt Patricia in 2022 and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien last season.
Jones went 18-24 as the Patriots’ starter, throwing for 8,918 yards and completing 66.1% of his passes with a passer rating of 85.8. He’s expected to compete with C.J. Beathard and Nathan Rourke to backup Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville.
Conversely, the Patriots signed Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal last week and they are expected to use the No. 3 overall pick in next month’s draft to find Jones’ successor.