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Uncertainty looms for Mac Jones as Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for season finale vs. Colts
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- Uncertainty looms for Mac Jones as Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for season finale vs. Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones finds a way to let his personality shine through even during games. It's evident by his attempt to draw a late hit penalty against a Titans defender after a short scramble last week.
Jones flopped out of bounds after being pushed near the boundary, hoping to get some extra yardage added to the play.
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"On film, [the referee] grabbed his flag twice, but he never pulled it out," Jones said while laughing during his Wednesday media availability. "So, I'll take two touches of the flag, but no penalty. That was funny."
Jones has filled in for quarterback Trevor Lawrence since Dec. 4, when Lawrence was placed on the injured reserve list with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) is forced out of bounds by Tennessee Titans linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars held off the Titans 20-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
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In the weeks since, Jones has picked up two wins — both against the Titans.
He's passed for 1,447 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. His chemistry and timing with Jacksonville's receivers was obvious in the win against Tennessee where he had two touchdown passes and no turnovers.
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As the season ends Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts , Jones is just grateful for another opportunity to start and wants to continue to be himself.
"I think the more jokes I tell on the field, the better I play," he said. "If I can just talk smack to the other team or keep it loose with the refs, I think that gets me in my zone. When I can get there and play in my zone, I think you can see the good stuff happens."
The Jaguars weren't expecting Mac Jones to be like Trevor Lawrence when he took over
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws the ball during the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Head coach Doug Pederson made something abundantly clear Wednesday. The Jaguars were not expecting Jones to play like Lawrence when he took over for the injured starter.
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"Obviously, he's not Trevor, so we can't ask him to be Trevor. We just want him to be Mac Jones," Pederson said. He noted that they just wanted him to take care of the football and run the offense.
To Pederson, he's exceeded those expectations.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) calls a play during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars held off the Titans 20-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Now the question is, will he be able to go to another team and compete for a starting spot? After his time with the Jaguars, his head coach hopes he gets the opportunity if it's what he wants.
"Hopefully, he's given an opportunity. … He's done some good things," Pederson said. "I think if teams are evaluating the quarterback position, he's definitely one that you would have to consider."
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Uncertainty looms for Jones after Sunday, he's focused on closing out the year on a good note
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) walks off the field during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jets held off the Jaguars 32-25. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jones is only under contract for one more game this season. After being drafted by the New England Patriots in 2021 and being traded to the Jaguars last offseason, he's not sure what next season will look like for him.
"This is my fourth season, so I know how this goes," he said. "You definitely want to put your best foot forward and control what you can control."
Jones has referenced wanting to become a starting quarterback in the NFL again someday. He's been granted the opportunity to put fresh game film out by virtue of Lawrence's injuries this year.
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So, how is he proceeding?
Jones spoke about being where his feet are on Wednesday and that's the mindset he's taking into the final game.
"That's always the million-dollar question for everybody," he said when asked about the uncertainty of his future. "You're either under contract or not, and for me, it's like I said, eliminating the distractions and taking it one day at a time, one play at a time and it will take care of itself."
Jones and the Jaguars will travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts in the season finale on Sunday at 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars QB Mac Jones is uncertain about his future
