This week, Mac Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round selection pick, ending his tenure with the New England Patriots.
With the goal of becoming the next quarterback for the Foxboro organization, Jones was selected by the Patriots in the first round (2021) at choice No. 15 overall. Following a stellar rookie campaign, Jones’ play declined over the following two seasons, peaking with a catastrophic 2023 campaign in which he was benched in four games and only won two of his 11 starts.
Jones reflected on his time in New England during his introductory press conference with the Jaguars on Thursday afternoon.
“I have all the respect in the world for those guys up there,” Jones said. “They’re my first team, drafted me in the first round. Can’t thank them enough. We kind of just decided the mutual parting of ways was the best decision for both of us. For me, it was just about moving on and getting back home, and I can’t be more excited. And for them, it’s about moving forward and turning the page. Really, that’s what we decided, and I think it’s a great decision.”
Jones learned a lot with the Patriots, and he’s motivated to get his career back on track in Jacksonville playing for his hometown team.
“A lot of great learning experiences,” Jones said. “Learned from a great head coach, obviously, one of the greatest of all time, and fortunate to work with some great coaches and learned a lot, played a lot of games, started a lot of games, and obviously things went the way they did and my goal was to kind of get the train back on the tracks. So, I think I can do that here.”
Is there anything Jones regrets about his time with the Patriots?
His words, “I don’t have regrets,” “I feel like I put everything out there, gave a lot to that organization, and they gave a lot to me.”
The quarterback depth chart for the Patriots following the Jones trade includes Bailey Zappe, Nathan Rourke, and recently acquired Jacoby Brissett. By choosing a quarterback with the third overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft, they could strengthen this bunch.
