The New England Patriots are finalizing a deal to trade quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, sources tell ESPN on Sunday.
The trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins Wednesday and Jones passes a physical.
For Jones, the Patriots would receive a 2024 sixth-round pick as compensation, sources told Schefter.
Jones, who grew up in Jacksonville, joins his hometown team as a backup to Trevor Lawrence — the first pick in the 2021 draft. Jones was selected 15th in the 2021 draft.
Jones would be competing with C.J. Beathard to be Lawrence’s primary backup. Beathard is in the final year of a two-year, $4.5 million contract he signed before the 2023 season.
New England owns the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft, where many around the league expect them to select one of the top-rated quarterbacks.
Lawrence had started every game of his NFL career until he missed Week 17 because of a right, throwing shoulder injury he suffered the week before in a loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Lawrence battled multiple injuries last season: a left knee sprain, an ankle sprain, a concussion, and a shoulder injury.
Jones was 352-of-521 for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as a rookie, but his performance fell the next two seasons.
Beathard has started just one game in his three seasons in Jacksonville, completing 17 of 24 passes for 178 yards to lead the Jaguars to a 26-0 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 last season.
