Nearly a year after his last start, Mac Jones is set to return to the NFL starting lineup this week. The former New England Patriots quarterback is the next man in charge in case Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars is indeed sidelined on Sunday due to a shoulder injury.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Lawrence is considered “unlikely” to be cleared to play against the Minnesota Vikings. The next man up would of course be Jones.

Jones was the Patriots’ 15th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and showed plenty of promise early in his rookie career. However, he seemed to hit a wall late that season and ultimately failed to develop into a franchise-caliber QB in New England.

After losing his starting job last November, the team’s new regime led by Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo — both of whom were part of the organization when Jones was first drafted — decided to part ways. Jones was traded to Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick in 2024. He has played in two games for the club thus far, going 6-for-9 as a passer for 28 yards.