JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars' 20-7 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 2024 Preseason Week 2 game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Saturday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Very good option. Time will tell the identity of the Jaguars' backup quarterback, with Head Coach Doug Pederson not yet publicly committing to Mac Jones or C.J. Beathard behind starter Trevor Lawrence. But Jones made a strong case Saturday, and it would seem something of a surprise at this point if he weren't the backup. Jones, the No. 15 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft who the Jaguars acquired in a March trade with the New England Patriots, started on Saturday with Pederson resting Lawrence and most Jaguars starters. Jones was solid throughout, completing 16 of 23 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns and also leading a nice field-goal drive at the end of the first half. Jones not only played well early starting the game, he backed that up with a good performance when he had to return to the game following Beathard's second-half groin injury. Jones from this view could give the Jaguars one of their best backup quarterback situations in recent memory – and depth at that position is always a positive.
2. Developing quickly. With most Jaguars starters and front-line players not playing Saturday, this night was about players taking advantage of opportunities. At least two players stood out in this vein – wide receiver Parker Washington and running back Tank Bigsby. That those two performed in their chance is hardly surprising to anyone who has watched Jaguars 2024 Training Camp, with the two among the most improved players in camp's first three-or-so weeks. Bigsby rushed for 37 yards on 10 carries Saturday after rushing three times for 28 yards in the preseason opener. Washington also continued a strong camp, catching a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jones for the game's first touchdown. "That Year One to Year Two jump we always talk about is real," Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke said. "I think you're starting to see it with these guys." Their performances Saturday were part of a good '24 camp story for Washington and Bigsby. The biggest part of their story is they're players who could make the Jaguars a deeper team than they were a year ago – and who are making it clear they can play capably if/when needed.

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent …

1. Jones told our production team on Friday he was prepared to play well and show what he was going to do next. In other words, he wasn't going to become a career backup based on a season that got away from him in 2023 and wasn't entirely his fault. He backed up those words with a stellar performance on Saturday. His touchdown to Washington was an absolute strike and it came the play after a 9-yard sack from the Buccaneers 14-yard line pushed the Jaguars to third and 17. He missed wide receiver Austin Trammell on the final drive of the first half then on the next play found him for a 29-yard gain to set up the Jaguars' go-ahead field goal. He was really good even when he wasn't and capped the night with a 31-yard rainbow touchdown to rookie wide receiver Brevin Easton to put the game away. He was Mac and he was back, having fun and playing good football – which is why he came back to Jacksonville in the first place.
2. Depth was a story line after the Jaguars' victory over the Chiefs and it is again after the win over the Bucs – but not for the same reason. The offensive line looked woefully thin in the fourth quarter when it couldn't protect Beathard, who ultimately was knocked out of the game with a groin injury. The guys playing are on the margins of the roster, but few of the five on the field will be able to look Beathard in the eye next week if the groin injury turns out to be a problem. This team needs young talent to develop, but outside of Cooper Hodges and Javon Foster there doesn't seem to be an abundance of talent to develop. That might not be a pressing concern now, but it might become one in the near future.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. The quarterback competition is over. Saturday's outing from Jones likely removed any remaining doubt who will be the Jaguars' backup quarterback this season. Both touchdowns came on third down, alleviating one of the major problems with the Jags offense last season. I think Jones will give a solid insurance policy if Lawrence were to miss any time this season.
2. The offensive line is still the biggest concern. The Jaguars struggled to protect their quarterbacks on Saturday night. The Buccaneers had five sacks as things got particularly ugly in the second half. Beathard suffered the brunt of it, and he eventually left the game with a groin injury. We didn't see much of the starting offensive line, but this leaves serious concern about the line depth heading into the regular season.