Patriots were proven right (again) to trade away declining player in free agency

The Patriots were in prime position to draft their next franchise quarterback this year after a losing 2023 season awarded them the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. There was a lot of speculation about what that would mean for Mac Jones, who had been the starter since he joined the team three years prior, especially since Bill Belichick was no longer making the roster decisions.

New head coach Jerod Mayo had hinted at Jones being given another chance to earn the role, given that he had been a coach during his start in the NFL and recognized some of the unfair circumstances the quarterback was dealt. However, they ultimately decided to trade him to the Jaguars in free agency, seeming like a win/win for both sides.

Because Jacksonville already had a starting quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, Jones would become the backup with his new team. He made quite an impression early on in his arrival, and seemed more than happy to be in his hometown again, and only had a few opportunities through the first nine games to actually get on the field.

That changed last week when Lawrence could not suit up for Week 10, giving Jones his first proper start for the Jaguars. Things were going well at first, with Jones leading the offense down the field for an early touchdown, only to follow that up with a stinker in the second half.

The Patriots decision to trade Mac Jones is looking better and better by the week

After maintaining a lead for the Jaguars until halftime over the 7-1 Vikings, Jones fell apart in the second half and replicated much of the issues he had with the Patriots in his final season in New England.

The third quarter was spent going three-and-out but somehow still maintaining their lead—that is, until the fourth quarter. That's when Jones lost a fumble and followed that up with back-to-back drives ending in an interception. He recorded just 11 yards in the final quarter, which allowed the Vikings to take the lead and ultimately win the game 12-7.

It was a massive disappointment for the Jaguars, who had trusted Jones to be the viable backup they believed he could be, only for him to literally (and figuratively) throw the game away with the same careless mistakes that forced the Patriots to trade him this past offseason.

It was another example of the quarterback making their decision look even better several months later, proving Jones might be exactly who he showed himself to be in 2023 and was unlikely to improve to be a definitive starter in the NFL.

Fortunately, the Patriots have Drake Maye to work with now.

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