The Jacksonville Jaguars recently confirmed that they have exercised their fifth-year options on the contracts of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne. However, there was no announcement regarding a third option for quarterback Mac Jones, who they acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots earlier this year.
Given the different roles that Lawrence and Jones play on the team, it is not surprising that Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com has reported that the Jaguars do not plan to exercise Jones’s option. This decision means that Jones will become a free agent in 2025. It remains to be seen if Jones will have the opportunity to showcase his skills and potentially earn a chance to become a starter in the future.
The Jaguars have been very clear about their plans for Lawrence and Etienne, both of whom they see as key players in their long-term success as a franchise. However, when it comes to Jones, there is still some uncertainty about his role in the team’s plans moving forward. If he were to pick up his option for 2025, he would receive the same salary as Lawrence, which is $25.664 million. But given his limited experience so far and the fact that he is only backing up Lawrence at this point, it is likely that the Jaguars will opt not to exercise his option and let him go when his contract expires.
Overall, while there are many questions about what lies ahead for Jones and his future with the Jaguars, one thing is clear: Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne are both expected to be major pieces of this team moving forward.