Report: Jaguars to decline Mac Jones' 5th-year option
The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't expected to exercise the 2025 fifth-year option on quarterback Mac Jones, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco.
Jacksonville acquired Jones in a trade from the New England Patriots this offseason in exchange for a sixth-round pick. The 25-year-old is projected to compete with C.J. Beathard for the Jaguars' QB2 role behind starter Trevor Lawrence.
The 15th overall pick in 2021, Jones posted a strong rookie season with the Patriots and helped the AFC East team reach the playoffs. However, the former Alabama star wasn't able to replicate that success in recent years and was benched on multiple occasions in 2023 for Bailey Zappe.
Jones, whose rookie contract expires after the 2024 campaign, passed for 46 touchdowns against 36 interceptions in 42 starts across three seasons in New England. His fifth-year option for 2025 would have cost the Jaguars $25.7 million, according to Over the Cap.
The Jaguars recently announced that they picked up the fifth-year options for Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne.