Jacksonville Jaguars franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence is unlikely to play in Week 10, leaving the starting job open for former first-round pick Mac Jones. A fellow member of the 2021 quarterback draft class, Jones began his career on a promising note with the New England Patriots. Starting and appearing in all 17 games, the Alabama product went 10-7 while completing 67.6% of his passes for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while guiding the team to their first postseason appearance of the post-Brady Era.
Unfortunately, the wheels soon fell off the wagon, as Jones crashed and burned over the next two seasons. After securing the third-overall pick and firing head coach Bill Belichick, New England traded Jones to the Jaguars and embraced the Drake Maye Era. Set to be a free agent at the end of the season, Jones could earn work as a bridge quarterback next year if he makes the most of his opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars. If he plays well, teams like the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints could target him in 2025.
That sounds very “see you in 2025.” https://t.co/F3c0D806rl
— Hays Carlyon (@HaysCarlyon) November 7, 2024
Mac Jones Could Turn Starting Opportunity Into Panthers, Saints Job
With the 2024 season effectively over, the Carolina Panthers could effectively rebuild their quarterback room from scratch in 2025. Former first-overall pick Bryce Young has shown signs of life since returning from his early-season benching, but the Alabama product probably won’t be back in 2024. If Dave Canales was willing to give up on him after two starts, then it’s hard to imagine a small handful of adequate performances will change his mind. The Panthers will probably trade him to the highest bidder and select a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Perhaps the Panthers finally land their long-awaited heir to Cam Newton, but they should have a Plan B in case the rookie isn’t ready to start from Day 1. Andy Dalton is ideal for this job, but the longtime veteran could leave for greener pastures. Several teams will be in the quarterback market, and the Panthers don’t have all that much cap space next year. If Mac Jones makes the most of his starting opportunity with the Jaguars, perhaps he could hold down the fort in Carolina while someone like Miami’s Cam Ward adjusts to NFL life, as one mock draft suggests.
Life Without Derek Carr
After years of kicking the can down the road, the Dennis Allen firing could signal a long-overdue rebuild in New Orleans. After trying to tread water in the post-Brees Era, the Saints are realizing that it’s time to tear it all down and start over, but years upon years of restructures means the team won’t be competitive in 2025. Derek Carr is not the worst quarterback in the league, but the 34-year-old is not a good fit for a rebuilding club. New Orleans can save some cap space with a trade and look to build around a younger quarterback who isn’t fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler.
Whoever the Saints pick in next year’s draft probably shouldn’t start in Week 1. The offensive line is a disaster and star wide receiver Chris Olave might not return in 2025. Somebody needs to hold down the starting job while General Manager Mickey Loomis builds a competitive roster, and Mac Jones may be that sacrificial lamb. Jones endured an abysmal supporting cast in New England, so he should be able to survive for a bit in the Big Easy.
Main Photo: Corey Perrine – USA Today Sports
