The New England Patriots made it official on Thursday, trading quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick. Jones wasted no time in expressing gratitude to the organization that drafted him back in 2021.
In a heartfelt letter shared on social media Thursday night, Jones extended his appreciation to the Patriots for selecting him out of Alabama and to Coach Bill Belichick for guiding him over the past three seasons.
“The last three seasons with the New England Patriots are years I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Jones penned. “I will always be thankful for my time in New England and for the chance to kick-start my NFL journey there.
“To Mr. Kraft and the Kraft family, thank you for affording me the opportunity to realize my dream of playing in the NFL. To Coach Belichick and the entire coaching and support staff who aided me every step of the way, from training to equipment, strength, video analysis, and everyone in between, thank you for your unwavering support and guidance throughout the years. I am genuinely grateful to each and every one of you.”
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Jones displayed immense promise as a rookie, boasting a completion rate of 67.6 percent and tallying 3,801 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, leading the Patriots to the playoffs in his debut season.
However, over the past two seasons, Jones’ performance has seen a decline, with 24 touchdown passes and 23 interceptions, falling short of expectations.
Perhaps a change of scenery will reignite Jones’ form from 2021, but with his current role as the primary backup to Trevor Lawrence, it may prove challenging for him to showcase his abilities on the field.
