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Trevor Lawrence injury means Mac Jones could be Jaguars starting quarterback. What's his record?
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- Trevor Lawrence injury means Mac Jones could be Jaguars starting quarterback. What's his record?
Trevor Lawrence seems to be "unlikely" to play in the Jacksonville Jaguars ' game Sunday vs. the Minnesota Vikings . If he's out, Mac Jones will be the starting quarterback for his hometown team.
Lawrence injured his shoulder last week against the Philadelphia Eagles . According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport , the QB is not expected to be ready to play this week and that surgery is an option. Lawrence was limited at Wednesday's practice.
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Offensive coordinator Press Taylor said Thursday that Lawrence was "day to day ... he's doing everything he can to play." He also said Jones is "very prepared to play" if he gets the start against the Vikings.
"Mac is every single week, very involved, very engaged in everything we're doing," Taylor said.
Jones was a national champion at Alabama and nearly won both the Heisman Trophy and Offensive Rookie of the Year. Here's what to know about the potential Jaguars starting quarterback:
What is Mac Jones ' name? Where is he from?
Michael McCorkle Jones, aka Mac Jones, was born September 5, 1998, in Jacksonville , Florida. Jones starred at The Bolles School.
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Mac Jones cigar: How many national championships did he win at Alabama?
Mac Jones went to Alabama in 2018, where he backed up Tua Tagovailoa before taking over as starter. He started most of the 2019 season after Tagovailoa's season-ending hip injury, then took the reins for the 2020 national championship team. He led the nation with a .774 completion percentage and 4,500 passing yards, throwing 41 touchdowns to just four interceptions en route to finishing third in the Heisman Trophy race behind teammate DeVonta Smith and Clemson's Trevor Lawrence .
Jones went 36 of 45 for 464 yards and five touchdowns to beat Ohio State in the national championship game. Afterward, a photo of him with a victory cigar in the locker room drew comparisons to Joe Burrow , who had done the same after LSU's victory the previous season. The comps weren't the most positive: "Sorry Mac, I think I got you there buddy," Burrow laughed a few seasons later on an episode of the Manningcast .
What is Mac Jones' record as a starter?
The New England Patriots took Mac Jones with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was the fifth quarterback taken after Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars, first), Zach Wilson ( Jets , second), Trey Lance (49ers, third) and Justin Fields (Bears, 11th).
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Jones had a strong rookie season and was seen as a legitimate successor to Tom Brady . He made the Pro Bowl with a .676 completion percentage, 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns with 13 interceptions, finishing second to Ja'Marr Chase for Offensive Rookie of the Year and leading the Patriots to the playoffs.
Things went south after that as the Bill Belichick era came crashing down in New England . He'd start 25 games over the next two seasons as he battled benchings and changes to his play-callers, throwing 24 TDs against 23 INTs over that time. After going 16-1 as a starter in college, Jones went 18-25 as a starter with the Patriots.
Mac Jones trade: What did Jaguars give up in Patriots trade?
When the Patriots lined up with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they traded Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in March. New England would draft North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye in the first round and took Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton with the pick acquired in the trade.
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Jones came home to Jacksonville to serve as Trevor Lawrence's backup. He beat C.J. Beathard for the role over the offseason, going 38 of 52 for 411 yards and three touchdowns over three preseason games.
"Being back home is really nice and we got a great weight room, obviously a great coaching staff, great players. Really, just trying to fit in where I get in and I really enjoy the guys on this team," Jones said over training camp. "I feel like it's definitely a different vibe than what I'm used to and it's a good vibe out there. So, hopefully, we can just keep that going."
Mac Jones salary: How much does Mac Jones make with the Jaguars?
Mac Jones is in the fourth and final year of his rookie deal, with an option for the 2025 season. He is making $2.79 million this season, according to Spotrac .
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Mac Jones stats
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Starts/appearances:42/44
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Record:18-24
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Completions/attempts:870/1,317
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Completion percentage:66.1%
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Passing yards:8,946
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Passing touchdowns:46
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Interceptions:36
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Sacks:86
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Carries:117
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Rushing yards:327
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Rushing touchdowns:1
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Fumbles:16
Contributing: Demetrius Harvey and Garry Smits, Florida Times-Union
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Mac Jones, Trevor Lawrence's backup, could be Jaguars starting QB
