Mac Jones Draft, Career, and Team Timeline
Mac Jones was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 15th overall pick after playing college football at the University of Alabama NFL.com Mac Jones profile. He started 14 games as a rookie in 2021 and posted a 63.1 completion percentage for 2,915 yards and 14 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. In 2022, Jones appeared in 16 games with 13 starts, completing 65.5 percent of his passes for 3,240 yards and 14 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He joined the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of the 2023 season and served as the backup quarterback behind Trevor Lawrence.
The Jacksonville Jaguars placed Jones on injured reserve in late 2023 with a foot injury, limiting his on-field snaps during that campaign. Before the 2024 season, Jones was released by the Jaguars and subsequently signed with the Detroit Lions as a backup ESPN Mac Jones player page. His career regular-season totals through the 2023 season include 3,928 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions across 43 games with 33 starts.
Contract, Salary, and Financial Details
Mac Jones signed a four-year rookie contract with the New England Patriots worth approximately $12.6 million, including a $6.6 million signing bonus, per standard first-round pick terms OverTheCap Mac Jones contract. His 2021 base salary was set at $950,000, with subsequent years structured under the rookie wage scale. After being released by the Jaguars, Jones signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, with reported base salary and incentives aligned with a backup quarterback role.
The Detroit Lions 2024 roster structure lists Jones as a veteran backup, with his salary counting against the team's salary cap at a reduced rate compared to starter contracts. NFL salary cap projections for backup quarterbacks typically range from $1 million to $3 million in base salary depending on experience and contract terms Spotrac Detroit Lions cap space. Jones's total career earnings through the 2023 season are estimated at over $14 million across his rookie deal and subsequent contracts.
Alabama Connection and Career Context
Mac Jones played three seasons at the University of Alabama from 2019 to 2020 under head coach Nick Saban, winning two CFP national championships in 2020 and 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football roster. He served as the starting quarterback during the 2020 season, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,916 yards and 26 touchdowns with 4 interceptions. His performance in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game included 20 completions for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Draft Profile and Combine Metrics
Jones measured 6 feet 1 inch and 212 pounds at the NFL Combine, recording a 4.74-second 40-yard dash and a 32-inch vertical jump. His Wonderlic score and positional drills reinforced his ranking as a top quarterback prospect in the 2