He is no longer bound by the rigidness of New England, and Alabama fans are excited about Mac Jones’ new chapter.
The former University of Alabama quarterback is back home in Jacksonville, Fla. He got traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 14 in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jones is thrilled to be back in the sunshine state, regardless of being the backup to Trevor Lawrence. He got the starting nod last week in the Jaguars’ second preseason matchup in the National Football League versus Tampa Bay.
Jones showed the fans why he was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. His accuracy was on point, completing 16 of 23 passes for 210 yards.
Jones connected with Parker Washington and Brevin Easton for touchdowns.
Parker “Parker Washington” Washington
@CPW11_ | #TBvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/tEGP27Tcvi— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 18, 2024
Who?! @MacJones_10!
#TBvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/9Fv4OHZsTt— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 18, 2024
He read coverages well and dropped dimes to wide receivers.
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Jones was frustrated with the mediocre coaching in New England, especially having two non-offensive coaches — Matt Patricia and Joe Judge — handling the offense. He is in a much better situation in Jacksonville and his joy for the game has returned.
Jones led the Jaguars to a 20-7 victory over the Buccaneers.
A former three-star recruit, he played for the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban from 2017 to 2020. Jones was a two-time College Football Playoff National Champion (2017, 2020), including one as the Tide’s starting quarterback in 2020.
He led the NCAA for passing yards (4,500), completion percentage (77.4), yards per attempt (11.2), and passer rating (203.1). Jones earned several individual honors in 2020, including Consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC.
He finished the season as a finalist for the Heisman Memorial Trophy and is sixth all-time in school history for career passing yards (6,126) and fourth in touchdowns (56).
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
