The New England Patriots have decided what to do about Mac Jones. They’re going to trade the quarterback.

Jones opened the 2023 NFL season on Sept. 10 as the Patriots’ starting quarterback, just as he had the previous two campaigns. He closed the season on Jan. 7 as the emergency No. 3 QB.

On Sunday, NFL Network and ESPN reported the Patriots are putting the finishing touches on a trade that would send Jones home to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former Alabama All-American is a native of Jacksonville, Florida.

With the Jaguars, Jones would be a backup to Trevor Lawrence.

The trade cannot be completed until the beginning of the NFL’s 2024 business year at 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday. The reported compensation for Jones will be a late-round draft pick.

Jones joined New England from Alabama’s undefeated 2020 CFP national-championship team as the 15th selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has one season remaining on his $15.586 million guaranteed rookie contract. The Patriots hold an option on a fifth season, but the team must choose to accept or decline that option by May 2. With the trade, that option will pass to Jacksonville.

Jones started the first 11 games of the 2023 season, although backup Bailey Zappe finished lopsided losses to the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 1 and New Orleans Saints on Oct. 8.

With New England trailing the Indianapolis Colts by four points on Nov. 12, the Patriots sent Zappe onto the field for their final possession. New England lost 10-6. Even after that show of no confidence, the Patriots started Jones in their next game. But Zappe played the second half of the 10-7 loss to the New York Giants on Nov. 26.

With the Patriots owning the AFC’s worst record at 2-9, New England inserted Zappe into the starting lineup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 3. Zappe started the final six games of the season, with the Patriots winning twice, and Jones did not play again.

In his first NFL season, Jones completed 352-of-521 passes for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The Patriots posted a 10-7 record and went to the playoffs. Jones finished second in the voting for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and played in the Pro Bowl.

In his second season, Jones completed 288-of-442 passes for 2,997 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. New England finished out of the playoffs at 8-9, and Jones missed three games because of an ankle injury.

In his third season, Jones completed 224-of-345 passes for 2,120 yards with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.