Report: Jaguars Had 'Only' Offer For Patriots QB Mac Jones

Did the Jaguars negotiate against themselves again? It seems so.

If there has been one fatal flaw with the Jacksonville Jaguars over the last decade-plus, it has been how often the team seems to negotiate against only themselves. 

Whether it was the albatross that was the Nick Foles contract or a host of other deals in recent years in which the Jaguars were seemingly raising the price against only themself, there are a number of examples. And now the question is whether it happened again. 

On Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Jaguars were set to trade a sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots for former first-round quarterback Mac Jones. 

On the heels of the report, though, was another from CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones. According to Jones, the Jaguars had the only trade offer on the table for the once-hyped quarterback. 

The Jaguars had the best — and only — offer for Mac Jones as of yesterday, source says. A sixth-round pick for the former No. 15 overall selection. Jones returns to his hometown to backup Trevor Lawrence. ESPN first on the trade.

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 10, 2024

On the flip side is a point made by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who said four teams were in the mix for Jones. The difference, obviously, is that "in the mix" does not mean actually making a tangible offer.

Four teams were in the mix for Mac Jones, who now lands as the backup to Trevor Lawrence with a chance to restart his career. https://t.co/eXkmKitXKE

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2024

Regardless of how many offers were in for Jones, it is clear the Jaguars were the only team willing to send a sixth-round pick. And as a result, Jones is Lawrence's new backup quarterback.

Jones, who turns 26 in September, will now figure to be Trevor Lawrence's backup after the two were both first round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Jaguars also have veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard still rostered for one more year, but Beathard could now be cut with Jones taking the role over.

Jones was the No. 15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after a strong final season at Alabama. His rookie year was his best season in New England, with Jones going 10-7 as a starter and throwing for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Jones regressed in 2022, going 6-8 in 14 starts and throwing for 2,997 yards and 14 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

Jones' final run with the Patriots came in 2023, with the former first round pick starting 11 games and going 2-9 in the process before heading for the bench. In his third season, Jones threw for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Now, the Jaguars will be sitting with eight picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and will take on a $2,785,412 cap hit for Jones. The Jaguars also control the rights over Jones' fifth-year option, though this will surely be declined.