San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has all the time gave the impression to be a fan of quarterback Mac Jones.
In August 2022, the coach advised the “I Am Athlete” podcast he was contemplating taking Jones or QB Trey Lance within the 2021 NFL Draft. The Niners took Lance with decide No. 3, however that did not work out. San Francisco traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 after he went 2-2 in 4 begins in two seasons with the membership.
Now, Shanahan is about to teach the QB he handed on in 2021. On Wednesday night time, NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport tweeted Jones and the 49ers have agreed to a two-year, $7M cope with $5M assured.
Jones will seemingly function the backup to 49ers beginning QB Brock Purdy. Nonetheless, Shanahan could really feel Jones — whom the New England Patriots chosen with decide No. 15 in 2021 — may very well be an intriguing venture.
In 2023, the 49ers signed QB Sam Darnold — a former New York Jets flop — to again up Purdy. He would solely spend one season with the Niners, however his transient stint in San Francisco could have helped him salvage his profession.
In 2024, Darnold signed with the Minnesota Vikings and completed fifth within the league in landing passes (35 in 17 begins). On Monday, he signed a three-year, $100.5M cope with the Seattle Seahawks.
“It was large,” Darnold said of his time with the Niners in September 2024. “Simply with the ability to find out how they do issues over there, not solely schematically however as a company. It was nice to be part of it for a yr. The season we had final yr was superb to be part of.”
It is onerous to ascertain that taking part in in San Francisco might be as helpful for Jones.
He has regressed since making the Professional Bowl in his rookie season in 2021. In three seasons with New England, he went 18-24 within the common season and posted a below-average 85.8 passer ranking.
In 2024, he crammed in for injured Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, going 2-5 in seven begins. Throughout this span, he tossed the identical variety of landing passes and interceptions (eight).
Purdy staying wholesome for the complete season could be the best-case state of affairs for the Niners. It is unclear if Jones can step in and win video games, even when Shanahan likes him.
