In a surprising move, the New England Patriots have decided to part ways with quarterback Mac Jones, trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the two teams are working on finalizing a deal that would see the Patriots acquiring a sixth-round pick in exchange for Jones.

Jones's departure comes after a disappointing season for the Patriots, where they finished with a 4-13 record. Reports had emerged that the Patriots were planning to sever ties with Jones during the offseason due to his underwhelming performances. The quarterback struggled in his third season, completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, with a passer rating of 77.

This decline in Jones's play led to him being benched in several games, ultimately resulting in Bailey Zappe taking over as the starting quarterback for the Patriots in Week 13. It is a sharp contrast from Jones's promising rookie season, where he helped lead the team to the playoffs and earned a Pro Bowl nod.

The change in Jones's performance can be attributed to the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Jones faced initial challenges and suffered an ankle injury in Week 3, sidelining him for three games. During his absence, rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe stepped up and led the team to a 2-1 record, creating a quarterback controversy upon Jones's return.

Although Jones regained his starting role, he could not replicate his rookie success. He completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, with a passer rating of 84.8, as the Patriots finished the season 8-9.

Rumors of tension between Jones and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick have also circulated. These rumors surfaced primarily due to Belichick's decision to replace McDaniels with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. In fact, ESPN's Seth Wickersham reported in January that Belichick had even discussed the possibility of trading Jones with Patriots owner Robert Kraft in the offseason.

Despite conflicting reports on the trade market interest in Jones, it appears that the Jaguars were the only team to make an offer for him. The Patriots were eager to complete the trade before the start of the legal tampering period for free agents on Monday, with hopes of securing a fifth-round pick. This move would also open up $2.7 million in cap space for the Patriots.

For Jones, this trade brings him back to his hometown of Jacksonville. He will have the opportunity to serve as a backup to 2021 first-round pick Trevor Lawrence, who has become the Jaguars' franchise quarterback.

As the Patriots bid farewell to Jones, they now have Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke as the only quarterbacks on their roster. There are rumors that the team plans to select a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft and potentially sign a veteran quarterback in free agency, with names like Baker Mayfield, Joe Flacco, and Jacoby Brissett being linked to the team.

This trade marks the end of Jones's tenure with the Patriots, a journey that started with promise but ultimately saw a decline in his performance. Only time will tell how this change will impact both the Patriots and the Jaguars moving forward.

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