Jaguars Don't Pick Up Mac Jones' Fifth-Year Option
Unsurprisingly, the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't pick up the fifth-year option on new quarterback Mac Jones, who the team acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots this offseason. Jones was New England's first-round pick in 2021 but failed to make an impact as their starter under center. He went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021 but was merely a replacement player. Jones started all 42 games that he played for the Patriots, but the team went 4-13 in 2023 and Jones found himself on the bench for the final six games. The 25-year-old from Alabama regressed in each of his three seasons in Boston, but it didn't help that the Patriots were constantly bringing in new offensive coaches during his time there. Now in Jacksonville, Jones will operate as the clear backup to Trevor Lawrence in 2024.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly acquired quarterback Mac Jones from the New England Patriots. This move was expected as Jones was reportedly on the trade block heading into the offseason. The Pats are looking to go in a new direction with Jerod Mayo taking over as the head coach in New England. Jones struggled during his time in New England and was even benched for Bailey Zappe this past season. In exchange for Jones, the Pats will reportedly receive a sixth-round draft pick. The hope is that a change of scenery will help Jones get his career back on track. This move doesn't hold much fantasy value considering Trevor Lawrence will remain the starter in Jacksonville. However, the Jags are hopeful to turn Jones into a quality backup.
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Pats have fielded calls for quarterback Mac Jones. The 2021 No. 15 overall pick showed promise in his inaugural season, tossing for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns (13 interceptions) off 67.6% passing. However, his production has plummeted since then. As a result, he wasn't starting consistently throughout the 2023-24 campaign, so his stock to end the season couldn't have gotten much lower. In all fairness, Jones can't take all the blame for his troubles under center. Yet, even with a new coaching staff, the 25-year-old could benefit from a fresh start with a new team. With that in mind, Jones has a long road ahead before becoming relevant for fantasy managers. But he's someone to watch over the next few months, especially if he gets paired with a coach who can help him develop.
Even though Bill Belichick is gone, New England Patriots former first-round quarterback Mac Jones, who lost the starting role and ended up the third-stringer by the end of 2023, is a trade candidate in the coming weeks and will most likely end up somewhere else in 2024. The Patriots own the No. 3 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, and all indications are that they will seriously explore taking of the draft's top QBs as they move into the Jerod Mayo era in New England. If USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye go first and second in the draft, the Patriots could take a third QB or trade back with another team if they don't like who slides to them. Jones threw for 22 touchdowns as a rookie in 2021 but has regressed tremendously the last two years, which was one of the big reasons the team moved on from Belichick after 24 years and six Super Bowl rings.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was benched and replaced by Bailey Zappe during halftime of Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Jones had completed 12 of 21 passes for 89 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions at the time of his departure. He now has a horrendous ratio of 10 touchdowns to 12 interceptions this season. He also fumbled on Sunday, but it was recovered by New England. Week 12 marks the fourth time this season that Jones has been benched for Zappe. It last happened in Week 10 when Bill Belichick made the switch ahead of a decisive fourth-quarter drive versus the Colts. In that scenario, Zappe threw a game-ending interception. Zappe doesn't represent a major drop-off from Jones, so Demario Douglas, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Hunter Henry should continue to warrant fantasy consideration.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones will start in Week 12 against the New York Giants on Sunday, according to sources. However, backup Bailey Zappe is likely to be in the mix as well. The Patriots have been non-committal on their starting quarterback ever since the Week 10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany, a game in which Zappe replaced Jones with two minutes left in the fourth quarterback with the game still on the line. Both Jones and Zappe took repetitions in practice this week, with Jones reportedly looking better. Jones will get the start this weekend, but we could see Zappe relieve him much earlier if Jones continues to struggle like he has all year. Jones is completing 65.4% of his passes for 2,031 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games.
Signs continue to point to New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones starting on Sunday for the Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants, but as of Friday, the players still had not been told which quarterback would make the start this weekend. Jones and Bailey Zappe split QB repetitions at practice during the week after a bye in Week 11, and Jones reportedly looked better. The 25-year-old appears likely to make the start on Sunday, but he'll most likely be on an extremely short leash and could be pulled early in favor of Zappe if he picks up where he left off in Week 10 in the loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany. At best, Jones is a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues and is in danger of losing the job at any moment if he continues to make poor decisions and make game-changing turnovers.
Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe Could Split Reps In Week 12
New England Patriots quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe could split reps during Sunday's game against the New York Giants, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. While Jones is expected to draw the start, Garafolo points out that both quarterbacks split reps in practice this past week and could continue to follow that trend on Sunday. The Patriots are losing patience with Jones, whom they benched at a decisive point in their Week 10 clash with the Colts. Zappe replaced him in that contest and threw a game-losing interception. The consensus belief out of New England is that while Jones has played poor football this season, he is the best quarterback on the roster. After all, Zappe remains the backup, Will Grier was released on Saturday, and versatile rookie Malik Cunningham has been taking reps at wide receiver. Fantasy managers should treat Jones as a fantasy QB3 this week. Meanwhile, even if Zappe earns some snaps, he's off the fantasy radar.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is expected to start in Sunday's meeting with the Giants. A report surfaced on Saturday suggesting the team wouldn't decide until Sunday morning if Jones or Bailey Zappe would be under center in Week 12. While things can certainly change, it appears the 2021 No. 15 overall pick will stay the No. 1 option on the depth chart. Jones has struggled during the 2023-24 campaign, throwing for 2,031 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing just 65.4% of his attempts. That said, despite the favorable matchup, fantasy managers should keep Jones benched in Week 12, even more so since he could be pulled and replaced by Zappe during the contest if he doesn't play well.
Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe Split Reps In Practice This Week
According to ESPN's Jeff Howe, New England Patriots quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe split reps in practice during the week. However, the decision on who's starting for the Week 12 matchup with the Giants may not come until Sunday morning. While Jones is rumored to remain the starter, Zappe could be thrust right back into the mix if the former struggles at any point versus New York. Of course, both players haven't played well all season, so neither signal-caller is worth starting in any fantasy format.
