While most people assumed the Mac Jones experiment was over in New England, Sunday’s trade still came as a surprise.
The Patriots, under new head coach Jerod Mayo, decided it was time to move on from Jones and traded their former first-rounder to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.
TRADE: Patriots trading QB Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a late-round pick. (via @rapsheet + @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/qDCW4TI0fb
— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2024
While they certainly wished for more than a sixth rounder in return, a large portion of the Patriots fan base was just happy to get rid of Jones.
There have been numerous rumblings over the past few years that Jones wasn’t exactly Mr. Popular in the locker room.
In fairness to Jones, he was dealt a rough hand in New England and was surrounded by dysfunction and incompetence for the majority of his tenure.
In many ways, he was set up to fail.
While he had failed to parlay the success of his rookie season into anything positive, the fact of the matter is he’s not as disastrous of a quarterback at what some people make him out to be.
FUCK IT MAC JONES HIGHLIGHTS pic.twitter.com/EkQPdE9pGb
— Daniel Judgeaport (@thejudgedan) June 24, 2023
Regardless, a clean slate is probably best for both sides. (Although Jones can’t be too thrilled about being stuck in a semi-permanent backup role behind sure-fire starter Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville.)
As far as the Patriots are concerned, the million-dollar question is who will be their quarterback going forward?
Well, the ultra-confident Bailey Zappe remains on the roster. There were several reports of a fractured relationship between Zappe and Jones, which reportedly got so bad that the two didn’t speak to each other and studied film in separate rooms.
If you guessed that Zappe wasn’t exactly shedding tears over the news of Jones’ departure, you’d be correct.
As a matter of fact, Zappe even “liked” an Instagram post announcing the trade…
Patriots QB Bailey Zappe liked the NFL’s Mac Jones trade post 💀 pic.twitter.com/64hF5V8CH3
— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) March 10, 2024
The football world quickly took note of Bailey’s action and had a good laugh about it.
Many pointed out that Zappe shouldn’t be celebrating just yet. After all, it’s not like he has a firm grip on the starting job. Far from it actually…
Bailey Zappe liking this like he has a shot at the starting job 💀 pic.twitter.com/ryTkaCB2ZW
— JLay (@PatsJLay) March 10, 2024
The Patriots are expected to draft a quarterback with the third overall pick in next month’s draft.
With Caleb Williams expected to be gone, New England will most likely take either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, depending on which one Washington doesn’t take at #2.
For insurance at the position, the Patriots are signing a familiar face, veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett.
HE’S BACK!
Welcome back to the squad Jacoby Brissett!!
pic.twitter.com/A6pwi9s4zV— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) March 12, 2024
So, whether he was feeling confident about winning the starting job, or he was just excited to not have to cross paths with Jones again, Zappe’s simple “like” spoke volumes.
As for Jones, he finishes his stint in New England with a career record of 18-24. He threw for 8,918 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions.
After a promising rookie season where he made the Pro Bowl and led the Patriots to the postseason, it was all downhill from there.
*Bailey Zappe likes the NFL’s Mac Jones trade post*
Jerod Mayo: pic.twitter.com/MPsJgxClIT
— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) March 10, 2024
What are your thoughts on the trade?
Will Jones ever be a starting quarterback in the league again?
Who will end up winning the Patriots starting job? … Zappe? Brissett? Or will they end up throwing their first-round pick to the wolves right off the bat???
The Mac Jones to Jacksonville trade is pretty funny but actually smart.
The Jaguars had no faith that CJ Beathard could step in and win any game vs any team besides the lowly Panthers last year.
This put Trevor Lawrence in situations where he was forced to play through injuries… pic.twitter.com/42cmi0Qxm3
— J5 Sports (@J5_Sports1) March 10, 2024