Patriots 'finalize a deal to trade Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a sixth-round pick'

The Jacksonville Jaguars are closing in on a trade for New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, according to a report. 

The two sides are finalizing the deal which could see the Jaguars send a sixth-round pick to New England, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. 

The trade can't be processed until the new league year, which begins on Wednesday, and Jones passes a physical. 

Jones, the No. 15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, offered Patriots fans a glimmer of potential in the early stages of his career in New England but he struggled to hold down the starting job during the 2023 season. 

The 25-year-old was benched by Bill Belichick multiple times for Bailey Zappe but neither signal caller could lock down the position as the Patriots went 4-13 in a disappointing season. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars are closing in on a trade for Patriots quarterback Mac Jones

The 2021 No. 15 pick struggled to hold down the starting job during the 2023 season

The 25-year-old will play backup to the Jaguars' starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence

In 11 starts, Jones threw for 2,120 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while owning a 2-9 record. 

Jones will now return to his native Jacksonville, where he played high school football, in search of a fresh start. 

He will play backup to Trevor Lawrence, who was taken by the Jaguars with the No. 1 overall pick in the same draft as Jones. 

Meanwhile, New England will cut its losses, adding a late-round selection to bolster its rebuild under new head coach Jerod Mayo. 

Jacksonville reportedly had the best offer for Jones as of Saturday, despite reports of a lot of interest in Jones during the combine last week. 

New England has the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft and has been linked to LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.