Mac Jones finally joins the San Francisco 49ers, a significant move four years after the franchise almost selected him as their third overall pick in the draft.
According to NFL Network, the agreement is valued at $7 million, with $5 million guaranteed and a potential maximum of $11.5 million.
Leading up to the 2021 draft, Jones was a prime candidate for San Francisco after the team traded three first-round selections to secure the No. 3 pick. Coach Kyle Shanahan was focused on finding a franchise quarterback and weighed his options between Jones and Trey Lance before ultimately choosing Lance.
“I had my eyes on two players,” Shanahan shared on the “I Am Athlete” podcast in 2022. “Mac Jones and Trey. Those were the two guys we had targeted from the start.”
Shanahan’s decision to select Lance was influenced by the young quarterback’s potential, as he was just 20 years old at the time. Unfortunately, this choice did not pan out as expected; Lance faced challenges in staying healthy and adapting to Shanahan’s offensive scheme. He made only four starts over two seasons before being traded to Dallas for a fourth-round pick in August 2023, having lost the starting role to Brock Purdy, a seventh-round pick from 2022.
Purdy has solidified his position as the starting quarterback for the 49ers, creating an opportunity for Jones to step in as a backup.
Jones began his NFL career strong, leading the New England Patriots to the playoffs in his rookie year. However, his performance declined in the following season after offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels departed, resulting in Jones losing his starting position in 2023.
After being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last March, he started seven games, throwing eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions.
In his career, Jones has started 49 games, achieving an 84.9 passer rating with 54 touchdown passes and 44 interceptions, averaging 6.7 yards per attempt.
With Joshua Dobbs departing in free agency to join the Patriots, the 49ers sought a reliable backup for Purdy. Brandon Allen is also available as a free agent.
Meanwhile, Lance is on the trading block as well, with the Cowboys indicating they will allow him to explore free agency.
