Mac Jones: ‘My goal is to get the train back on the tracks’

Just two years ago, Mac Jones was heading into his first full offseason with the New England Patriots after earning Pro Bowl honors and finishing as the runner-up for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Not much went right after that.

Jones struggled for much of his second season, getting briefly benched and finishing with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Things got worse in 2023 when he threw 10 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and was benched multiple times — eventually for good — by the Patriots.

Now the 2021 first-round pick is ready for a fresh start after getting traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this month.

“My goal is to get the train back on the tracks,” Jones said Thursday during his first press conference in Jacksonville. “I think I can do that here. The coaches here have talked to me about that and how I can help the room.”

Ideally for the Jaguars, he won’t see the field much with the team. Jones is set to compete with C.J. Beathard for a chance at backing up fellow 2021 first-round pick, Trevor Lawrence.

“Obviously, he’s playing great football and he’s doing a great job here in Jacksonville,” Jones said of Lawrence. “He’s obviously the captain, and he’s a great player, and he’s done a lot of good things here.”

Jones, 25, is set to play the 2024 on the final year of his rookie contract so it’s possible his time in Duval will be brief. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said the Jaguars might’ve made the move just so they could “flip him for a better pick” as quarterback injuries force teams to evaluate other options before the season starts.

Either way, it’s a much needed change of scenery for Jones who is looking to leave his New England tailspin far in the rear view mirror.