Dolphins' latest signing throws cold water on Jaguars potentially trading Mac Jones

After a slow start in 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars have won two of their last three games. While they still look like a long shot to make the playoffs, they won't probably be sellers before the November 5 deadline. However, some of their players could draw interest. One of them is Mac Jones, who could help teams in need of a quarterback. That said, the Jags will most likely hold on to him after the Miami Dolphins signed C.J. Beathard.

The Dolphins announced they've signed Beathard to their practice squad. Although Tua Tagovailoa is slated to return to the starting lineup soon after landing on Injured Reserve, signing the former Iowa Hawkeye gives Miami much-needed depth behind center.

A third-round pick in the 2017 draft, C.J. Beathard signed with the Jags in 2021 and was their primary backup the past three seasons. However, the team's brass wanted to upgrade their quarterback room and traded for Mac Jones in the offseason.

Beathard competed with Jones throughout the offseason, with the latter generally playing better. He then suffered a groin injury in the preseason that sealed his fate. Jones made the roster and Beathard was released on cutdown day with a settlement.

At the time, general manager Trent Baalke told the media that the team would have to way the length of the injury plus three weeks to potentially bring Beathard back. Because the quarterback was expected to miss four weeks, the Jags would've been able to sign the veteran quarterback in Week 7 at the earliest. However, Miami swooped in and called dibs on him.

It looks like Beathard is healthy or close to it. Otherwise, the Dolphins wouldn't have signed him. And with him out of the market, the Jaguars cannot afford to trade Jones.

Mac Jones give the Jaguars a dependable QB2 behind Trevor Lawrence

Mac Jones has been the subject of trade speculation dating back to the preseason. Given that he has starting experience, he could help teams that have lost their starting signal-caller to injury. However, there hasn't been legitimate demand for his services in the regular season. Moreover, it doesn't look like the Jacksonville Jaguars had any intentions of moving him. Add the fact that Beathard is now off the market, and a move before the deadline seems highly unlikely.

You could argue that Jones is no longer needed, with Trevor Lawrence playing like his old self in recent weeks. However, your starting quarterback is always an injury away from leaving the field and you'll always want to have a capable backup who's ready to roll. In the Jags' case, they have the Jacksonville native.

A first-round pick in the 2021 draft, Jones made the Pro Bowl and led the New England Patriots to the playoffs as a rookie. However, he regressed the past two seasons to the point where his team decided to move on from him after the 2023 season. But despite flashing early in his career, the Jags were the only team that showed realistic interest in him and ended up acquiring him in exchange for a sixth-round selection.

Looking back, trading for Mac Jones was a low-key smart move. The Jacksonville Jaguars are surely thrilled he hasn't had to play, but they know he'll manage to keep the offense afloat if Trevor Lawrence needs to miss time. That's why they weren't in a hurry to bring back C.J. Beathard.

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