Mac Jones Addresses Trade, Thanks Patriots Fans: 'Mutual Parting'?
Not only did Wednesday mark the beginning of the NFL's new league year, but it also meant the start of a new chapter for former New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones.
The embattled former first-round pick was introduced as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday in an introductory press conference following Sunday's trade. This obviously led to the inevitable: Jones being asked about the end of his time in Foxboro.
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"We kind of just decided the mutual parting of ways was the best decision for both of us," Jones said about his departure from the Patriots. "For me it was just about moving on and getting back home, and I couldn't be more excited. And for them, it's about moving forward and turning the page. So, really, that's what we decided, and I think it's a great decision."
Rocky, rollercoaster-like, downward spiral—all are adjectives that could describe Jones's three seasons in Foxboro. After a quick ascent to the starting role, beating out former league MVP Cam Newton, Jones ushered in a new era in New England as a rookie.
The former Alabama product had a promising start to his NFL career. He'd throw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, leading the Patriots to their first and only postseason appearance since the departure of Tom Brady, all the while earning himself a spot in the Pro Bowl.
But that is where the highlights end for Jones in Foxboro, as the two seasons that came turned a seemingly upward trend into a downward spiral.
After a 10-7 first year with Jones as the starter, the Patriots would go 8-17 in the two seasons afterward with the former first-round pick under center. Jones would throw for 5,117 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in that time as he seemingly regressed into a quarterback trying to compensate for the lack of talent around him to looking bereft of confidence at other times.
This steep regression eventually led to his benching for the Patriots' final six games last season. However, things hit rock bottom when Jones was made the team's emergency third quarterback after New England's Week 18 loss to the New York Jets.
Yet, despite it all, Jones still took the time, hours following his press conference, to thank the Patriots and their fans for supporting him.
"The last three seasons with the New England Patriots are years I will cherish for the rest of my life," Jones wrote in a graphic posted to Twitter. "I will always be grateful for my time in New England and for the opportunity to start my career in the NFL."
Jones and the Patriots will go their separate ways, where New England will likely find its newest franchise quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Jones will return to his former home of Jacksonville and backup quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
