JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mac Jones made a statement on a starless Saturday night.
He’s more than ready to handle the role as Trevor Lawrence’s backup, and a career reset in Jacksonville.
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In a battle of the reserves across the field, the Jaguars got the best of the Buccaneers at EverBank Stadium in a 20-7 win and plodded toward the regular season opener with a bit more clarity than before.
Head coach Doug Pederson likely got his answer on a few lingering roster questions, headlined by the backup quarterback battle between former Bolles star Jones and CJ Beathard. Jones started — and was asked to finish — the game against Tampa Bay because Beathard got pummeled and injured behind the third-string offensive line and left with a groin injury.
“I thought overall, Mac played a solid football game,” Pederson said. “He was obviously into it. You saw his intensity out there. Made some great throws. Just led the team like expected.”
Jones delivered in the extended action. He finished 16 of 23 passing for 210 yards and scoring passes to Parker Washington and Brevin Easton to cap a strong night. In two preseason games, Jones is 25 for 34 for 308 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’s also led three drives that ended with field goals.
“I think going out here with a great team and people that I’ve gotten to know over the past few months has been real fun and [we’ve] just got to keep carrying that momentum and it’s a one-week season — everyone always says that,” Jones said. “In the preseason too, you’ve got to stack good days and move on to the next game. So, [I’m] really looking forward to Atlanta next week, too.”
Jones fired a 25-yard touchdown pass to Washington to get the Jaguars in the end zone for Jacksonville’s first touchdown of the game midway through the second quarter and a 7-0 lead. Jones engineered another scoring drive before the half ended, a 26-yard field goal by rookie Cam Little.
Reality check
Yes, the Jaguars are 2-0 in the preseason, but this game is why fans loathe exhibition games.
Just about every starter was held out by Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, which was expected after two days of joint practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
Offensive linemen Anton Harrison (right tackle) and Ezra Cleveland (left guard) were the two regulars starting on the offensive line. Both missed the preseason opener with injuries. Receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and linebacker Chad Muma were about the only other big-name players to see the field in the opening half. The diminished competition showed in a relatively boring contest.
Pederson held out the bulk of the projected starters and delegated most of the playing time to the backups, a necessity as significant roster choices loom.
Mac takes the lead
The quarterback decision between Jones and Beathard is the most notable one. And Jones likely made Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke’s decision easier Saturday night. The former first-round pick had a stellar rookie season in New England but fell out of favor after that with back-to-back difficult seasons. Jacksonville sent the Patriots a sixth-round pick for Jones in the offseason and he has looked like a far more confident player than in New England.
Jones’ best toss of the first half was a beautiful strike down the center of the field to Washington midway through the second quarter, a 25-yard touchdown strike that put Jacksonville on the board. Washington was wide open on the play and Jones put it right in his hands. Jones overthrew Elijah Cooks in the first quarter on a similar play but nailed the pass to Washington for a 7-0 lead.
“Mac is just always himself. He’s never trying to be anyone else; he always is himself. He’s a joyful person, he loves to have fun, he’s always himself. I like that about Mac,” said running back Tank Bigsby. “He did really good out there, and he was just playing free and fun.”
He also led a late scoring drive before halftime, showing command of the offense and the clock. Jacksonville got the ball back with 35 seconds left in the half at its own 43 and Jones guided the offense into scoring position and threw the ball away twice to avoid a sack and stop the clock.
Jones’ other gem in the opening half against pressure was a zinger to a sliding Devin Duvernay on a third-and-15 that moved the Jaguars off their own 15.
Washington continues to shine
Speaking of Washington, his ascent continues. The second-year player from Penn State had an excellent opener against the Chiefs last week and has maximized his preseason reps. Washington played sparingly last season but figures to be a factor in both special teams and offense this year. Washington projects as a perfect slot receiver in the mold of Christian Kirk.
Defensive standouts
Trevis Gipson had a good play near the end of the opening half, getting a hand on Kyle Trask on a third-and-7 play to force an incompletion that got Jacksonville the ball back with 41 seconds before the break. Jones led the scoring drive after that play.
Defensive tackle Tyler Lacy blew past the block and annihilated Ramon Jefferson on a first-and-goal at the 3 with less than 30 seconds to play. Rookie Tre Prince had a pass breakup in the end zone one play later and tackle Joe Gaziano sacked Trask on the final play of the game to keep Tampa Bay out of the end zone.