Free agency saw several veteran quarterbacks find new homes. A number of trades took place involving signal-callers as well, though, including the one which ended Mac Jones‘ Patriots tenure. 
The 2021 first-rounder was dealt to the Jaguars last week in return for a sixth-round pick. The move will allow Jones to play for his hometown team while getting a fresh start following his underwhelming run in New England. He will serve as Trevor Lawrence‘s backup for at least one season, while the Patriots will reset under center. Jones recently spoke about the trade.
“We kind of just decided the mutual parting of ways was the best decision for both of us,” the 25-year-old said, via Doug Kyed of 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.”
Jones had an encouraging rookie season, but his struggles the following year under Matt Patricia and Joe Judge led to questions about his long-term viability as a starter. A coaching change led to Bill O’Brien taking charge of the Patriots’ offense in 2023, but Jones did not rebound as hoped. The Alabama product was benched in favor of Bailey Zappe to close out the campaign, furthering the expectation he would be dealt during the offseason.
The Patriots have indeed moved on, with Zappe, former Jaguars addition Nathan Rourke and veteran Jacoby Brissett on the QB depth chart. New England is widely expected to draft a signal-caller third overall, and the understanding of that plan lends credence to Jones’ assertion the trade was a mutual parting of ways. The latter will compete for the QB2 job in Jacksonville with veteran C.J. Beathard.
One year remains on Jones’ rookie contract; the Jaguars will surely decline his 2025 fifth-year option (valued at $25.66MM). His free agent stock will thus depend on his play over the coming season, something which will not involve much in the way of opportunities if Lawrence remains healthy. Jones’ value and the performance of his replacement will be worth monitoring in 2024.
Going from a starter to the backup to an established starter was a “great decision”.
Mac Jones has a future in PR.
He was going nowhere in NE, so this seems like a better option.
To be fair, no one in New England is going anywhere
We can go to our trophy room!! It’s freakin awesome
He went nowhere thanks to the knucklehead coaching/ scheme changes they made after his first year when it was actually working. Dumb
It was the same scheme, Erherdt-Perkins. He started sucking the end of his first year when the league understood his tendencies like that he was terrible throwing outside the hashes.
Started and benched in 4 games. Does wonders for a kid’s confidence.
Sure, it was mutual, lol.
The situation in NE the last three years was horrible, especially with offensive coaching, so I wish him well in a new (hopefully more supportive) environment
There was zero talent on offense as well. Mac was getting hit before completing a 3 step drop. No WR’s and a decent running back was all he had to work with.
Nah, it was mostly Mac Jones is garbage.
Demario Douglas is legit. Boutte never got a chance. Henry is a good TE.
What, you didn’t like Matt Patricia calling offensive plays?
Neither did Mac
He was as bad or worse with Bill O’Brien. Explain that.
Bill Belichick starting and benching him 4 times in one season. That would ruin any quarterback.
Belichick has been inept on the offensive side for years now. Mac must be thrilled to be done with him.
Because Macorkle sucks. He was propped up af in Bama by all the talent that surrounded him.
Hopefully Drake Maye will be better than Jones is.
If Jones wants to play a long time in the NFL, he better hit the weight room and drop that dad bod for another twenty pounds of hard muscle. Hopefully the additional workouts will improve his deep ball as well. Jones just doesn’t have the physique to excel.
Chainsmoker Jay Cutler enters the chat…
Mac lost a 250 pound bully that grunts at the media
What a terrible qb class 2021 ended up being!
be fair- Mac is a great QB with a wide open receiver and time to set up in the pocket
He is?
He made the 2022 Pro Bowl. It’s not like it didn’t happen.
You could make the pro bowl…
The Jags started to improve when they revamped their scouting department and rely less on “homegrown” talent. I hope they don’t start back peddling on that approach because it would be a mistake.
The 2021 QB class was terrible only because most were thrown into the NFL fire right away , they didn’t have an chance to change from college lvl antics to NFL antics . Most arrived to teams that were garbage & most are leaving teams that are still garbage . Most if not all will improve as they will be back ups finally & learn