Former Patriots QB expresses gratitude for opportunity with new team

When the New England Patriots drafted Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, and he led the team to a 10-7 record in a Pro Bowl season, many believed the team had found the next guy to lead the franchise.

However, after two poor seasons in 2022 and 2023 that included some benchings for putrid performances, New England sent Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round draft pick.

Now, backing up another 2021 first-round pick (Trevor Lawrence) and playing in his home state, Jones is enjoying playing football again.

“The whole change of scenery definitely helped,” Jones said earlier this week ( via. The Athletic ). “I’m just having fun playing football. I’m at my best when I’m keeping it loose, letting it rip and having that gunslinger mindset that I maybe had lost a little bit of. But I got it back here, and you’ve just got to be consistent with it. It’s good days, bad days and everything in between.”

Things couldn't have been enjoyable over his final two seasons with the Patriots, as the team struggled and tensions were high around the building, ultimately leading to his departure and the team parting ways with head coach Bill Belichick.

Jones can now just focus on himself and being the best quarterback that he can be without the pressure that he had on him that he did in New England.