Sources - Patriots finalizing trade of QB Mac Jones to Jaguars - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are finalizing a deal to trade quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday.

The two sides had been discussing a sixth-round draft pick as compensation, sources told Schefter. The trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins Wednesday and Jones passes a physical.

The Patriots own the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft, where many around the NFL expect them to select one of the top-rated quarterbacks — likely a decision between LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye.

Mac Jones is the second quarterback selected in the 2021 first round to be traded before the end of his rookie contract. It's possible that Zach Wilson and Justin Fields will have that distinction this offseason as well.

Jones, who grew up in Jacksonville, joins his hometown team as a backup to Trevor Lawrence — the first pick in the 2021 draft. Jones had been selected 15th in the 2021 draft.

Jones is expected to compete with C.J. Beathard to be Lawrence's primary backup. Beathard is in the final year of a two-year, $4.5 million contract he signed before the 2023 season.

Beathard started just one game in his three seasons in Jacksonville, completing 17 of 24 passes for 178 yards to lead the Jaguars to a 26-0 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 last season. That was the only win for the Jaguars in their final six games, as they finished 9-8 and failed to make the playoffs.

Lawrence had started every game of his NFL career until he missed the Week 17 game against the Panthers because of a right (throwing) shoulder injury he suffered the week before in a loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Lawrence battled multiple injuries last