Former Patriots QB Mac Jones Faces Old Team in London

Mac Jones, the former New England Patriots quarterback, is set to face his old team for the first time since being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The matchup is scheduled to take place in London this Sunday, marking a significant reunion on the field.

Mac Jones spent a challenging three seasons with the Patriots. His tenure was marred by inadequate performances and conflicts with the coaching staff, led by head coach Bill Belichick. This ultimately led to Jones being traded to the Jaguars during the recent offseason in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

Despite the tumultuous history with the Patriots, the 26-year-old Jones is not anticipated to play in the upcoming game unless starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffers an injury. Nonetheless, the game offers Jones a unique opportunity for a personal vendetta against his former team.

Speaking to NESN.com, Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano mentioned, “I think for him it’s kind of one of those games where things in New England didn’t go exactly how he wanted. He’s just approaching this as another game and he’s definitely studying film the way he always studies because he’s just such an even-keeled guy and approaches and plays football the right way.”

Jones was initially seen as the franchise quarterback for New England when he was selected 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Alabama. His rookie season showed promise, helping the team reach the playoffs and earning him a Pro Bowl selection. However, subsequent seasons saw a decline in performance, exacerbated by Coach Belichick’s decision to hand the offensive reins to Matt Patricia.

During his final season with the Patriots, Jones was benched repeatedly, going 2-9 and spending the last six games on the bench. The change of teams appears to be beneficial, as Jones impressed during the Jaguars’ preseason, securing the backup quarterback position.

Joe Gaziano, a Massachusetts native who first met Jones during offseason workouts in Boston, has stated, “I think it’s easy to be on the outside and point in and kind of judge a player who’s in a helmet. You get to know the guy off the field and you realize how much of a good, wholehearted person he is.”

Gaziano further elaborated on Jones’s character, describing him as “a fierce competitor, but he’s also a guy who you want to be around in the locker room just because of the way that he carries himself.”

Ahead of Sunday’s game, Patriots’ inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo commented on his friendship with Jones, expressing hopes that he would become a “great quarterback.” Mayo remarked, “I didn’t really think about it that way,” in response to whether Jones’s New England legacy influenced the team’s current development of quarterback Drake Maye.

As the game approaches, both the Patriots and Jaguars hold a 1-5 record, adding an element of urgency to the encounter in London.