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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The New England Patriots are finalizing a deal to send quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, multiple reports said Sunday.
The Patriots will receive a sixth round draft pick in return. The trade cannot be finalized until the new league season begins Wednesday and Jones passes a physical in Jacksonville, according to reports.
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Jones was selected 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and became the Patriots' starting quarterback after the departure of Tom Brady.
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Jones' rookie season showed promise with a 10-7 record and a wild card playoff berth, where the team lost to the Buffalo Bills.
The 2022 season did not fare as well. Jones was benched for three games early in the season because of an ankle injury and replaced with backup QB Bailey Zappe. After his return, the Patriots ended the season with an 8-9 record, failing to reach the playoffs.
Jones' 2023 season, his third and final as a Patriot, proved his nadir with the team. During the first 11 games, Jones was benched three times because of poor performance and amassed a 2-9 record. Zappe replaced Jones as starting quarterback for the remainder of the season following the Nov. 12 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Overall, Jones' tenure as a Patriot ended with a 18-24 record with 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.
Joining the Jaguars, Jones will become backup quarterback to Trevor Lawrence.
The trade is the latest lineup change for the Patriots following this most recent NFL season. Longtime head coach Bill Belichick departed the team after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl wins with the team. Belichick was replaced by Pats linebackers coach Jerod Mayo.
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