The Jacksonville Jaguars concluded their preseason on Friday night, with Mac Jones making a final push to secure the No. 2 quarterback position behind Trevor Lawrence. Jones has been in competition with C.J. Beathard for the backup spot, but Beathard’s absence due to a groin injury gave Jones a significant opportunity to prove himself.
Jones capitalized on this chance, completing 13 of 18 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons, a performance that marked a turnaround from his struggles with the Patriots.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson acknowledged Jones’ strong performance, noting that it was consistent with how he had been performing throughout the summer.
Pederson highlighted Jones’ ability to manage the offense and involve his teammates, which has been a positive aspect of his integration into the Jaguars’ system. However, Pederson also pointed out that Jones occasionally falls back into old habits developed during his time with the Patriots.
These lingering habits are something the Jaguars’ coaching staff is keen to address, as they work to fully integrate Jones into their offensive scheme.
Pederson mentioned that while Jones has been doing well, there are moments when he needs to be reminded that he’s no longer in New England. The coach emphasized that Jones has been receptive to coaching and has shown improvement in adjusting to the Jaguars’ style of play.
While the Jaguars hope Trevor Lawrence remains healthy and leads the team throughout the 2024 season, they are focused on ensuring Jones is fully prepared to step in if needed. The goal is to help Jones completely transition away from his previous style of play with the Patriots so that he can effectively run Jacksonville’s offense if he is called upon during the regular season.
