Former Alabama standout quarterback Mac Jones was traded from the New England Patriots to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“Trade: Patriots are finalizing a deal to send QB Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, sources tell ESPN,” Schefter writes. “The trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins Wednesday and he passes a physical. The two sides were discussing a 6th-round pick, per sources. Jones was born in Jacksonville; now he has the chance to go home.”
The 15th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft struggled throughout his tenure in New England, but especially in 2023. Throughout the regular season, he was benched multiple times in the middle of games and was eventually demoted late in the year to the third-string spot on the depth chart. Through 11 games, the 25-year-old completed 224 passes for 2,120 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
In addition to trading Jones, the Patriots have made a lot of moves in their coaching staff over the past couple of months, including parting ways with long-time head coach Bill Belichick and hiring former New England linebacker Jerod Mayo to become the future Hall-of-Famer’s successor. Additionally, former Alabama standout Dont’a Hightower became the team’s linebackers coach.
New England’s offense was among the least productive in the league and most signs are pointing to them taking a quarterback with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Jaguars had playoff expectations before this past season kicked off, but they finished with a 9-8 record and missed the cut.
