Mac Jones breaks silence on New England Patriots exit and sends message to Bill Belichick
Mac Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week after three seasons with the New England Patriots, and the quarterback has now broken his silence over his departure.
Mac Jones, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new quarterback, has spoken out about his time with the New England Patriots, stating he would not change a thing.
The Patriots agreed last Sunday to sell Jones to Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2024. The Patriots had been exploring for potential trade partners for the former first-round choice, and it didn’t take long for them to reach an agreement with the Jaguars, who beat out three other clubs to get Jones.
Jones is now looking forward to a new beginning following a difficult couple of seasons in Foxborough. In 2023, he threw for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, resulting in a 2-9 record before being benched by coach Bill Belichick for Bailey Zappe in Week 12.
The 25-year-old, who was taken No. 15 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, had an amazing debut season, helping the Pats reach the playoffs and earning a Pro Bowl selection while throwing for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Now, Jones will be competing to be the backup behind former first-overall pick Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville. Lawrence was selected first in the same year Jones was selected 15th by the Pats.
Looking back on his three seasons in New England, Jones said that despite the ups and downs, he wouldn’t have done anything differently.
“I don’t have regrets,” Jones said during his first press conference. “I feel like I put everything out there. I gave a lot to that organisation, and they gave a lot to me. I’m going to do the same thing here.
“I have all the respect for those guys up there. They’re my first team, drafted me in the first round and can’t thank them enough. Obviously, 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. So really, that’s kind of what we decided, and I think it’s a great decision.”
During his time with the Patriots, Jones passed for 8,918 yards with 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in Foxborough, most notably in an impressive rookie season that earned him Pro Bowl honours.
Talking about his former time he stated: “A lot of great learning experiences. Learned from a great head coach, obviously, one of the greatest of all time. Been fortunate to kind of work with some great head coaches and learned a lot. Played a lot of games. Started a lot of games.”
“Obviously, things happened the way they did.” My goal was to get the train back on track. “I believe I can do that here.”
Jones will fight with experienced player C. J. Beathard for the backup role behind Lawrence. Beathard, who has only started one game in three seasons with Jacksonville, is in the final year of a two-year contract worth $4.5 million (£3.5 million) signed prior to the 2023 season.
If Jones can push Lawrence throughout training camp and demonstrate that he still has the abilities to be a starter, things may get interesting in Jacksonville. Lawrence did not take the projected lead in year three, despite a very outstanding second season, and the former Clemson star has one year left on his rookie contract, with a base salary of $2.785 million (£2.17 million), if the Jaguars do not exercise his fifth-year option.
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