Mac Jones opened the 2023 NFL season on Sept. 10 as he had the previous two – as the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback. He closed it on Sunday as the Patriots’ emergency No. 3 QB in the season finale.

That turn of events had Jones talking about “my next opportunity, wherever that is” in the Patriots’ locker room on Monday morning.

“I feel like I let people down with my play,” Jones said. “A lot of that stuff’s in my control, and some of it’s not. I’m going to do everything I can for my next opportunity whether that’s here and really just push forward and continue to be Mac. That’s what it’s all about and don’t let that waver.”

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, and the Patriots hold an option on a fifth season. But the team must choose to accept or decline that option this offseason.

Jones answered “We’ll see” when asked if he had a future with the Patriots.

“I’m always going to put my best foot forward and compete,” Jones said. “I know that. That’s all I’ve ever done is compete everywhere I’ve been. Really love this place. Have a lot of respect for this place, and we’ll see where it goes. …

“I hope they realize I’m going to compete, and I’m going to do that wherever I’m at on any NFL team whether it’s here or somewhere else.”

While New England gave up on Jones as its starting quarterback, at least for this season, Jones said he never gave up on the season.

“I always take notes, and I’ve gotten a chance to go back and look at my notes for the past three years,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of things I can do better. There’s a lot of things that are in my control, but there’s also a lot of things that are out of my control. I’ve always said I’m going to focus on the controllables, and that’s important to me. I feel like I’ve made progress, especially in these last couple of weeks. Been here early, left late. A lot of people would have just said, ‘I’m done. I’m not going to do that.’ I’ve worked out hard, put on 7 or 8 pounds of muscle in the last couple of weeks here, so that’s where I’m at right now.

“And that’s what I’m looking for is the next opportunity. I know it’s going to come. But at the end of the day as a quarterback and a competitor, you got to be ready. Right? So I’m going to be ready.”

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, but 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.

“Definitely been through a lot, but that’s what makes great people,” Jones said. “A lot of great people in this world have been through a lot, so, hopefully, I can just channel that and continue to work and don’t let my confidence waver because of someone or something. Just keep going and be Mac. I know it’ll work out.”

In his first 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 as 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.

“Definitely a lot of learning experiences,” Jones said. “I definitely grew as a player and a person. It didn’t go the way I wanted, but at the end of the day, I know I’m going to bounce back. …

“I really just learned to keep going. I look back and a lot of times when I had my most success it was right after my biggest failures, so I feel like I can do that again.”

Jones worked with Josh McDaniels as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator as a rookie. McDaniels left after that season to become the coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. New England turned the play-calling duties over to former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia in 2022. For 2023, the Patriots brought in Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to run the attack. But Jones’ passing-efficiency rating continued to drop, from 92.5 as a rookie to 84.8 in 2022 to 77.0 in 2023.

“I love coach O’Brien,” Jones said. “It was obviously disappointing that it didn’t go our way for multiple reasons, really.”

The Patriots’ 4-13 showing this season earned New England the third selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.