JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It's easy to spot Mac Jones on Jacksonville's practice fields. He's the one dancing between plays.
Shimmying. Shaking. Strutting.
Smiling. The 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft is clearly enjoying his new role with his hometown team. After being the third Jaguars quarterback to take the field in last week's preseason opener against Kansas City, Jones is expected to start against Tampa Bay on Saturday.
With Trevor Lawrence taking the night off following two joint practices with the Bucs, Jones will get a chance to secure the team's backup job. It's a far cry from being THE GUY for 43 games in New England, but it's also a refreshing reboot for the former Alabama star. "I've competed my whole life and I find great joy in competition," Jones said.
"I try to just be myself. I'm not going to change because of one thing or another." Jones and C.
J. Beathard are expected to split the exhibition. Jones completed 9 of 11 passes for 98 yards against the Chiefs; Beathard connected on 7 of 14 for 125 yards, including a 35yard touchdown pass to Devin Duvernay.
It would be a mild upset if Jones didn't land the No. 2 spot. After all, the Jaguars traded a sixthround draft pick to New England in March in hopes of finding an upgrade behind Lawrence.
Lawrence missed the first game of his professional career following a sprained right shoulder in December. He also missed significant practice time because of other injuries: a sprained left knee in Week 6, a sprained rig.