Ex-Patriots QB Mac Jones embracing backup role with Jaguars

Former New England Patriots starting quarterback Mac Jones had a ride waiting for him after he passed his physical with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday.

And there was a familiar face behind the wheel.

“It’s kind of nice when your mom can pick you up from work,” Jones said.

Jones is embracing a return to his hometown after a dismal season in New England that cost him his starting job and put his long-term future in the league in doubt.

The former Alabama quarterback, the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, isn’t quite at the point where he’s planning to move back in with his parents. But he’s ready for a fresh start that he hopes “can get the train back on the tracks and get it moving in the right direction.”

“It’s about confidence,” Jones said. “It’s about putting in the work and doing everything right that you can. I feel like I did that, and I’m going to continue to do that.

“The results may have been there some days and may have not been there others. But I think the important part for me is sticking to that process like I’ve always done, just trying to get back to that, but at the same time, just knowing my role, knowing where I’m at and just understanding that this is a great spot for me in my hometown.”

The Patriots traded Jones to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in next month’s draft. The deal became official Thursday once Jones passed his physical.

Jones will vie with 30-year-old C.J. Beathard for the team’s backup spot behind Trevor Lawrence. Jones will count $4.96 million against the team’s salary cap in the final year of his rookie contract. Beathard is scheduled to count $2.4 million in the final year of his deal.

The Jaguars are unlikely to keep both on their 53-man roster to start the season.

Jones took the high road while talking about how things ended in New England. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021, but regressed from there and ended up getting benched in favor of Bailey Zappe last season. Jones had 24 touchdown passes and 23…


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Publish date : 2024-03-14 22:36:35

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