Former Patriots quarterback Mac Jones continued to look rejuvenated with the Jaguars.
The Jacksonville native is competing to be the backup behind Trevor Lawrence for his hometown team.
Jones appears to have locked down that role. He completed 13 of 18 passes for 113 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in Friday’s 31-0 preseason win over the Falcons. Fellow ex-Pat Matthew Judon didn’t play in the game.
In three preseason games, Jones was 38 of 52 for 421 yards and three touchdowns. He was sacked four times but didn’t throw an interception. He’s pulled away from injured veteran C.J. Beathard to be the likely backup.
Jones, who was a Pro Bowler as a rookie, looked like the Patriots’ future at quarterback after being selected in the first round. But he regressed badly after Bill Belichick installed former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as the team’s first-time offensive coordinator in 2022.
Jones never recovered. He struggled badly last year and was benched and then traded for a late pick. The Patriots drafted Drake Maye with their first-round pick at No. 3 overall.
Jags coach Doug Pederson has been impressed.
”Mac has played extremely well in the last couple of weeks and has really bought into what we do,” Pederson told 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.”
