Mac Jones Joins 49ers, Aiming for Career Revival
Mac Jones stepped onto the practice field with the San Francisco 49ers, a moment he had envisioned since the 2021 NFL Draft. The quarterback, once a top prospect linked to the Niners, found himself in New England instead, but now he’s ready to embrace a new chapter under coach Kyle Shanahan.
“The world works in mysterious ways,” Jones remarked on Wednesday, reflecting on his journey. “I’m glad to be back here and learning from a great group of guys.” His path to San Francisco was anything but straightforward; after being passed over in favor of Trey Lance, who ultimately struggled with injuries and performance, Jones is now positioned as a backup to Brock Purdy.
In 2021, the 49ers traded three first-round picks to secure the No. 3 overall selection, eyeing a franchise quarterback. The decision to draft Lance instead of Jones has since been scrutinized, especially after Lance's limited success led to his trade to Dallas in August 2023.
Jones began his NFL career with promise, leading the Patriots to the playoffs as a rookie. However, his performance dipped following the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, culminating in a loss of his starting role in 2023. A brief stint with Jacksonville saw him start seven games, where he recorded eight touchdowns against eight interceptions.
When free agency opened, Jones didn’t hesitate to choose San Francisco, hoping that a backup role could reignite his career similar to Sam Darnold’s resurgence after his time with the Niners. “I always love watching their tape,” he said. “They’re always in the top five in stats around the league.”
Learning a new offense is nothing new for Jones, who described the experience as “drinking from a water hose.” Quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi noted that Jones’s adaptability is an asset. “He’s not new to kind of new terminology and how to be coached differently,” Lombardi stated. “He really wants to try and do it our way.”
Familiarity exists between Jones and Lombardi, who was a receivers coach in New England during Jones’s rookie season. Additionally, Jones shares a history with Purdy, having hosted him on a recruiting visit to Alabama in 2018. Their bond has only strengthened through offseason workouts near Jacksonville.
“It’s pretty cool,” Purdy said about their shared journey. “We were both just young kids heading into college and now here we are on the same team.” As Jones settles into his role with the 49ers, he aims to leverage his past experiences and relationships to carve out a successful future in San Francisco.
