The Jaguars brought down the curtain on their preseason schedule last Friday night, with Mac Jones putting on a show to secure his place as the No. 2 quarterback behind Trevor Lawrence. Jones went head-to-head throughout the summer with C.J. Beathard, but fate smiled upon Jones as Beathard was sidelined with a groin injury.
Jones Makes a Statement
With a gutsy performance against the Falcons, Jones completed 13-of-18 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. His crisp throws and composed demeanor resembled a maestro conducting an orchestra in perfect harmony. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson couldn’t help but nod in approval, acknowledging that this performance echoed the potential they’ve seen from Jones all summer.
“Mac has played extremely well in the last couple of weeks and has really bought into what we do,” Pederson remarked enthusiastically. “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.”
Patriots Habits Hang On
Sure, every now and then, Jones’ throws may harken back to his days in New England, creeping in like an old tune that won’t leave your head. But Pederson is confident that with some fine-tuning, those Patriots quirks can be left in the rearview mirror.
A Look Ahead
Legend has it the Jaguars would rather have Lawrence on the field through the 2024 season, orchestrating plays like a world-class chef preparing a five-course meal. But just in case destiny plays a different card and they have to hand the keys of the offense to Jones, they’ll be working hard to refine his game.
- **Trevor Lawrence**: The undisputed maestro
- **Mac Jones**: The understudy proving his mettle
- **C.J. Beathard**: Eager to make a comeback
With the kind of performances Jones is putting in, Sundays this fall might just be as thrilling as a Peruvian "clásico" football match. Hold on to your hats, Jaguars fans, it’s going to be a riveting season!
