Mac Jones had an impressive preseason with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but head coach Doug Pederson said he still has some work to do.
Pederson also shaded the New England Patriots, Jones' former team.
"Mac has played extremely well in the last couple of weeks and has really bought into what we do," Pederson said, per Mike Reiss of ESPN. "He'll still revert back to his Patriots ways every now and then, and we have to remind him he's in Jacksonville. But he's done a good job managing and running the offense, getting everybody involved. He sees the field well, throws a good ball, so he's done a good job."
There's no question Jones struggled when he was with the Patriots, and Pederson seemed to be taking a shot at the way he developed while in New England during the first three years of his career. Jones' worst season with the Patriots came last year when he had 2,120 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and it was clear he needed a change of scenery.
Being on a new team has seemed to pay dividends early on. In three preseason games, Jones had 421 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, leading the Jags to three dominant wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons.
Jones likely won't get any reps as Jacksonville's starter as Trevor Lawrence holds that title, but he could still make a few appearances throughout the season to continue developing.
If Jones' preseason is truly a mark of how he's developed over the offseason, he could have teams looking to make him a QB1 when he becomes a free agent next offseason.
The Jaguars wrapped up their preseason schedule on Friday night with Mac Jones making his final case to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Trevor Lawrence.
Jones had been competing with C.J. Beathard this summer, but Beathard missed the game with a groin injury and Jones made a strong argument for himself by going 13-of-18 for 113 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons. That kind of success eluded Jones as a member of the Patriots, but Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said it was in line with what the team has seen from him this summer.
Pederson did note that the bad habits from New England still seep into his game on occasion, however.
“Mac has played extremely well in the last couple of weeks and has really bought into what we do,” Pederson said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. “He’ll still revert back to his Patriots ways every now and then, and we have to remind him he’s in Jacksonville. But he’s done a good job managing and running the offense, getting everybody involved. He sees the field well, throws a good ball, so he’s done a good job.”
The Jaguars would prefer to have Lawrence in the lineup for the entire 2024 season, but they’ll hope to eradicate any memory of the Patriots from Jones’s play in the event they have to hand him the keys to the offense.
Jones' 'Patriot Ways'
Pederson's comments sparked a debate about whether Jones' struggles in New England were due to his own shortcomings or the Patriots' coaching and system. Some fans argued that Jones was a victim of bad coaching and a lack of support from the Patriots, while others maintained that Jones simply wasn't good enough to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Jones' Time in New England
Jones was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he was immediately thrust into the starting role after the team traded Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jones' rookie season was a mixed bag, as he showed flashes of potential but also struggled with consistency. He threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and he led the Patriots to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth.
However, Jones' struggles continued in his second and third seasons in New England, and he was ultimately traded to the Jaguars this offseason.
Jones' Fresh Start
Jones' preseason performance with the Jaguars has been encouraging, and it seems like he has found a new home in Jacksonville. Pederson is a well-respected coach who has a history of developing quarterbacks, and he has already made a positive impact on Jones' game.
Whether Jones can turn his career around and become a starting quarterback in the NFL remains to be seen, but his preseason performance with the Jaguars has given him a much-needed boost of confidence.
Looking Ahead
The Jaguars are hoping to make a deep playoff run in 2024, and Jones could play a key role in their success. Even if Lawrence stays healthy, Jones could provide valuable depth and experience. If Jones can continue to improve under Pederson's guidance, he could be a valuable asset to the Jaguars for years to come.
The Jaguars' upcoming season will be crucial for Jones' future. If he can build on his strong preseason performance and show that he can be a reliable backup quarterback, he could set himself up for a successful career in the NFL.
