The New England Patriots are trading struggling quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He is expected to return as a sixth-round draft pick.
This reported trade will be stalled for several days as it cannot be processed until the new league year begins on Wednesday.
This trade ends the saga between Jones and the Patriots and, in many ways, ends Bill Belichick's time as head coach. In need of a quarterback after a disastrous 2020 with Cam Newton, the Patriots selected Jones with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 draft and made him immediately available. He started all 17 games that season, posted a 10-7 record, made the playoffs, and finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
That was the high point. From there, everything started going downhill. His effectiveness waned in 2022 and he became a walking disaster in 2023. He struggled mightily, but wasn't helped by the team Belichick built or by Belichick himself. He went to the bench several times in favor of Bailey Zappe. Fans who had been promised a Tom Brady replacement were disappointed and fed up with him.
All things considered, this deal is likely the best path forward for everyone involved. The Patriots, led by new head coach Jerod Mayo, have the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft and will almost certainly get a young quarterback around whom they can develop. Jones, whose talent level never matched his draft position, got a fresh start as a backup to Trevor Lawrence in his hometown of Jacksonville.
