It is a disappointing finish to what began as a promising rookie season for Jones, as he led the Patriots again to the playoffs and was known as as much as play within the Professional Bowl. Jones threw for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his first season, however noticed declines in every of the next two seasons following the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Jones regressed below a gaggle method in 2022 led by Matt Patricia and Joe Choose, throwing simply 14 touchdowns although reducing his interception complete to 11. The Patriots missed the playoffs, with Jones going 6-8 as a starter, lacking three video games on account of an ankle harm suffered in a aggressive back-and-forth contest in opposition to Baltimore.
In 2023, the Patriots introduced in established offensive coordinator Invoice O’Brien, but the workers changes couldn’t stop a continued decline by the offense. Mac went 2-9 as a starter, finally being benched for the staff’s remaining six video games for backup Bailey Zappe. The Patriots completed thirty first in factors, thirtieth in yards and twenty ninth in DVOA.
The transfer ought to be a welcome one for Jones, as he grew up in Jacksonville space and starred on the Bolles Faculty below legendary Florida head coach Corky Rogers. That ought to assist permit for a clean transition, with Jones getting a contemporary begin in a well-recognized place. Now, he’ll look to reset as a backup behind the quarterback chosen first total in the identical draft class, Trevor Lawrence.
The Patriots will probably be left in the interim with Zappe and Nathan Rourke on their quarterback depth chart, however loads of attention-grabbing choices will probably be accessible in Free Company. On Monday, the tampering interval will start, permitting groups to start placing offers in place. Bridge quarterback potentialities like Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew may garner consideration whereas beginning choices like Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield may very well be choices within the staff chooses to go in a unique path.
With most mock drafts vacillating between UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels for the Pats, most foresee that New England will use their third total choose to interchange what they’d hoped to seek out in Jones, a long-term impression starter at a very powerful place within the recreation.