Former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones was traded from the New England Patriots to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“Trade: Patriots are finalizing a deal to send QB Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, sources tell ESPN,” writes Schefter. “The move cannot be completed until the new league year begins on Wednesday and he passes a physical. According to reports, the two sides were contemplating a sixth-round choice. Jones was born in Jacksonville and now has the opportunity to return home.”
The Jaguars were expected to make the playoffs before the season began, but they finished 9-8 and missed the cut. Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence also had a disappointing season, but he is still projected to be the primary option, with Jones battling for the backup job with C.J. Beathard.
Although Jones was not the starter at the time, Lawrence won his first matchup against his new partner as Clemson defeated the Crimson Tide 44-16 in the 2019 College Football National Championship. Nonetheless, when the two faced off as NFL starters on Jan. 2, 2022, Jones led the Patriots to a commanding 50-10 victory over the Jaguars.
Jones becomes the third Crimson Tide product on the Jaguars current roster, as he joins offensive tackle Cam Robinson and wide receiver Calvin Ridley. That said, Ridley is an unrestricted free agent, meaning he may not be with the team for Jones’ Jacksonville campaign.
The 15th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft struggled throughout his tenure in New England, but especially in 2023 as the Patriots finished with their worst record (4-13) since 1992. 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.
