NFL Rumors: Patriots Don't Plan on Exercising Mac Jones' Contract Option for 2025

The New England Patriots do not plan on picking up quarterback Mac Jones' fifth-year option following the 2024 season, per MassLive's Mark Daniels.

Jones is entering the final season of a four-year, $15.6 million contract that gives the Patriots a fifth-year option for him in 2025.

"According to a source, the Patriots don't plan on picking up Jones' fifth-year option," Daniels wrote. "The quarterback has a clean slate with [head coach Jerod] Mayo and could remain on the roster, but the team won't hesitate to move him if the right deal comes across their desk."

Jones struggled in his third NFL campaign and was ultimately benched four times for Bailey Zappe. Now, it seems Jones' future with the Patriots is uncertain.

In 11 games this season, Jones threw for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 64.9 completion percentage. His best season remains his rookie year when he recorded 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, starting all 17 games for the Patriots and leading them to the playoffs.

Since his initial year, Jones has shown very little progress.

In his three years in the NFL, Jones has had three different offensive coordinators. He will have a fourth next season even if he stays in New England, as Bill O'Brien left to join Ryan Day's staff at Ohio State. The inconsistency has certainly weighed on the young quarterback and has likely been a reason for his lack of development.

Now, Jones is looking to grow despite a rocky start. According to Daniels, Jones has looked to other quarterbacks who struggled in the early stages of their careers for a framework for how he can right his own.

"Jones has taken a realistic approach to what this season has meant for his future," Daniels wrote. "The quarterback has even spoken about Geno Smith's journey and relayed inside Gillette Stadium to one source that his path might be like the veteran quarterback. After struggling in his first two seasons in New York, it took Smith eight years to get another starting job."

Jones' start to his career certainly hasn't gone the way he had hoped, but he's shown flashes of what he can be, and he will look for a chance to display his talents next season.