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CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Mac Jones embraces fresh start with 49ers after getting passed over in 2021 NFL Draft
Mac Jones is happy finally to be with coach Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers even if it came four years after many expected. Jones was linked to San Francisco leading into the 2021 draft but was passed over and ended up in New England. Now after an up and down first four years in the NFL, Jones is trying to revive his career as a backup to Brock Purdy in Shanahan's offense. "Obviously the world works in mysterious ways," Jones said Wednesday. "I'm glad to be back here and learning from a great group of guys, and that's players and coaches. You go where you go in the draft, right? You don't get a lot of choice over that, but I'm definitely excited to be here now." Jones and San Francisco were closely linked leading up to the 2021 draft after the Niners traded three first-round picks to get the No. 3 overall selection. Shanahan was looking to draft a franchise quarterback and was debating between Jones and Trey Lance before San Francisco finally opted for Lance. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws the ball during San Francisco 49ers OTA on June 4, 2025 at SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara. Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The move backfired as Lance struggled to stay healthy and adjust to Shanahan's system. He made only four starts in two seasons before being traded to Dallas for a fourth-round pick in August 2023, having lost the starting job to Purdy, the last pick in the 2022 draft. Jones had a fast start to his career, helping New England make the playoffs in his rookie season. But Jones regressed the next year after offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left for Las Vegas, and he was replaced as the starter in 2023. Jones was traded to Jacksonville last March and started seven games for the Jaguars, throwing eight TD passes and eight interceptions. Jones has made 49 career starts, posting an 84.9 passer rating with 54 TD passes, 44 interceptions and averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. He said he didn't hesitate to pick San Francisco in his first shot at free agency and has hopes a stint as a backup here can spark his career in a similar fashion to what happened to Sam Darnold after he spent the 2023 season with the Niners. "I always love watching their tape," Jones said. "When you look at stats around the league, they're always in the top five, you see the little San Francisco logo. So I always love watching what Kyle did throughout the years and to finally get in and learn it, it's been a little bit challenging, but also a great challenge because it's things, some things I've done and some things I haven't done at all." Jones has had a different play caller every season in the NFL and said learning another new offense is like "drinking from a water hose." Quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi said that experience pays dividends this spring. "He's not new to this," Lombardi said. "He's not new to kind of new terminology new footwork and how to be coached differently. The one thing I love about Mac is he's always here. He's always willing to try new try new things. He's not stuck in his ways, and he really wants to try and do it our way." Lombardi and Jones have familiarity with Lombardi serving as receivers coach in New England when Jones was a rookie in 2021. Jones and Purdy have a relationship that goes even further, with Jones hosting Purdy on a recruiting visit to Alabama in 2018 and the two have thrown together in the offseason near Jacksonville before Jones signed with San Francisco. "We talked about that and joked around with it a little bit, just him being at Alabama and really before he took off too with his career and the amazing, obviously the National Championship run he had and then getting drafted and everything," Purdy said. "It's pretty cool. We were both just young kids both heading into college and then now here we are on the same team. It's pretty cool."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why ESPN believes ex-Patriots QB could revive career with 49ers
Mac Jones might be in the perfect spot to revive his NFL career. The quarterback signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March after spending a not-so-great 2024 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before that, Jones spent his first three years with the New England Patriots. Advertisement But things didn't go well in New England. After a promising rookie season in 2021, Jones couldn't build off that year, regressed and struggled to find a groove under center. Now in San Francisco, Jones will try to start fresh. And even though it's likely Brock Purdy will remain the team's QB1, ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes Jones is in the perfect spot to start over. And it's because of the path Sam Darnold took. 'If there's one player attempting to explicitly go on the Darnold rejuvenation path, it's Jones. Darnold restarted his career by joining the 49ers in 2023, where he spent the season as a backup to Brock Purdy,' Barnwell wrote. 'Darnold threw only 46 passes in a San Francisco uniform, most of which came in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Rams. Working with coach Kyle Shanahan apparently did enough to rebuild Darnold's confidence before he left for a one-year deal with Minnesota, though. You know what happened next.' Advertisement Darnold, like Jones, was a first-round pick and expected to help turn a franchise around. But his time with the New York Jets was disastrous. He then spent two seasons with the Carolina Panthers before latching on with the 49ers. Darnold's 10 appearances in San Francisco was enough for the Minnesota Vikings to take a chance on him where he turned in a 14-3 season as a starter en route to a Wild Card appearance. Darnold's performance earned him a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. Whether Jones has a similar path to Darnold remains to be seen, but Barnwell believes Jones will have "best offensive infrastructure Jones has played in since his time at Alabama." "Jones probably isn't going to win the job away from the $265 million QB," Barnwell wrote, 'but don't be surprised if he plays well enough to get a more significant opportunity elsewhere on his next deal in 2026.' More Patriots Content Read the original article on MassLive.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Mac Jones embraces fresh start with the 49ers after getting passed over by team in 2021 draft
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Mac Jones is happy finally to be with coach Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers even if it came four years after many expected. Jones was linked to San Francisco leading into the 2021 draft but was passed over and ended up in New England. Now after an up and down first four years in the NFL, Jones is trying to revive his career as a backup to Brock Purdy in Shanahan's offense.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Mac Jones embraces fresh start with the 49ers after getting passed over by team in 2021 draft
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Mac Jones is happy finally to be with coach Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers even if it came four years after many expected. Jones was linked to San Francisco leading into the 2021 draft but was passed over and ended up in New England. Now after an up and down first four years in the NFL, Jones is trying to revive his career as a backup to Brock Purdy in Shanahan's offense. 'Obviously the world works in mysterious ways,' Jones said Wednesday. 'I'm glad to be back here and learning from a great group of guys, and that's players and coaches. You go where you go in the draft, right? You don't get a lot of choice over that, but I'm definitely excited to be here now.' Jones and San Francisco were closely linked leading up to the 2021 draft after the Niners traded three first-round picks to get the No. 3 overall selection. Shanahan was looking to draft a franchise quarterback and was debating between Jones and Trey Lance before San Francisco finally opted for Lance. The move backfired as Lance struggled to stay healthy and adjust to Shanahan's system. He made only four starts in two seasons before being traded to Dallas for a fourth-round pick in August 2023, having lost the starting job to Purdy, the last pick in the 2022 draft. Jones had a fast start to his career, helping New England make the playoffs in his rookie season. But Jones regressed the next year after offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left for Las Vegas, and he was replaced as the starter in 2023. Jones was traded to Jacksonville last March and started seven games for the Jaguars, throwing eight TD passes and eight interceptions. Jones has made 49 career starts, posting an 84.9 passer rating with 54 TD passes, 44 interceptions and averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. He said he didn't hesitate to pick San Francisco in his first shot at free agency and has hopes a stint as a backup here can spark his career in a similar fashion to what happened to Sam Darnold after he spent the 2023 season with the Niners. 'I always love watching their tape,' Jones said. 'When you look at stats around the league, they're always in the top five, you see the little San Francisco logo. So I always love watching what Kyle did throughout the years and to finally get in and learn it, it's been a little bit challenging, but also a great challenge because it's things, some things I've done and some things I haven't done at all.' Jones has had a different play caller every season in the NFL and said learning another new offense is like 'drinking from a water hose.' Quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi said that experience pays dividends this spring. 'He's not new to this,' Lombardi said. 'He's not new to kind of new terminology new footwork and how to be coached differently. The one thing I love about Mac is he's always here. He's always willing to try new try new things. He's not stuck in his ways, and he really wants to try and do it our way.' Lombardi and Jones have familiarity with Lombardi serving as receivers coach in New England when Jones was a rookie in 2021. Jones and Purdy have a relationship that goes even further, with Jones hosting Purdy on a recruiting visit to Alabama in 2018 and the two have thrown together in the offseason near Jacksonville before Jones signed with San Francisco. 'We talked about that and joked around with it a little bit, just him being at Alabama and really before he took off too with his career and the amazing, obviously the National Championship run he had and then getting drafted and everything,' Purdy said. 'It's pretty cool. We were both just young kids both heading into college and then now here we are on the same team. It's pretty cool.' ___ AP NFL:
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
49ers' Mac Jones and Brock Purdy are old pals — and a big reason Jones is in San Francisco
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A rookie quarterback who's a fast learner, quick processor and who led his team to the playoffs in his initial NFL season? The 49ers, of course, had that experience with Brock Purdy in 2022. His backup, Mac Jones, had a similar start with the New England Patriots a year earlier. Jones, the 15th draft pick that season, completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,801 yards and a 92.5 passer rating, all of them career highs. Advertisement Quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi, who was the receivers coach in New England in 2021, called that phase of Patriots football, 'the post-Tom (Brady), post-Cam Newton' era. 'And I think Mac came in there and really did a great job of taking over the system, just orchestrating plays and not turning the ball over and taking command of the offense,' Lombardi said. 'And just like Brock did here in devoting time into his craft and the system and trying to understand the intricacies of it, that was what I was most impressed with. And he's hard on himself the most. And that's what Brock is, too. He's his hardest critic.' Jones hasn't been nearly as sharp as he was as a rookie. Two years later, his passer rating dropped to 77 and in 2024 he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he started seven games and threw eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. The 49ers took a long look at Jones in 2021 before opting for since-traded Trey Lance with the No. 3 pick. But after some sarcasm about his relationship with Kyle Shanahan — 'We got in a huge fight,' he said archly — he said it wasn't a difficult decision to come to San Francisco. 'When you go through your first free agency, that's the first time you get to pick where you want to play,' he said. He was attractive to the 49ers because he has many of the same qualities Purdy does, including accuracy and an ability to quickly move through his progressions. Jones noted those similarities on Wednesday and said Purdy was a big reason he signed with the 49ers. 'Being a fan from afar, just the way he plays the game — very precise, very on time, very cerebral,' he said. 'All things that I've done at some points in my career and I just want to get more consistent at that. So being here and learning from him … I think it's going to really benefit me and get me back playing how I know I can play.' Advertisement Jones also has a background with Purdy. They've both trained with throwing coaches in Jacksonville, Fla., which is where Jones grew up. Jones also hosted Purdy when Jones was Alabama's quarterback and Purdy was in high school. 'We got to hang out and eat dinner and then go back and play computer games at my apartment,' Jones said. 'We always talk about that and how crazy the world works. His story is so cool to me.' • The defense had few would-be starters on the field Wednesday but still managed a number of pass breakups both during 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven sessions. The most impressive may have been linebacker Dee Winters' deflection. He was covering receiver Isaiah Hodgins on a seam route — a mismatch in most cases —and Hodgins seemed poised for a deep touchdown. Winters, however, is one of the fastest linebackers in the league and was able to reach out and get a finger on the ball as it arrived. With Fred Warner an observer this spring (just as he was a year ago), Winters is the most experienced member of the 49ers' linebacking corps. He'll compete with third-round pick Nick Martin for the weakside linebacking spot this summer. Martin, working with the second-team group, also had a deflection on a sideline pass from Jones to running back Israel Abanikanda. • Others with pass breakups: Safety Jaylen Mahoney, cornerback Tre Avery, cornerback Chase Lucas and de facto first-team safety Richie Grant, who had a strong practice. Cornerback Derrick Canteen had an interception of a pass on which receiver Russell Gage Jr. appeared to cut the wrong way. • The best catch of the day was turned in by second-year receiver Jacob Cowing, who slipped while cutting sharply to the sideline, but still hauled in — with one hand —a throw from Jones. Along with Ricky Pearsall, Cowing trained with Purdy in Jacksonville in the offseason. 'Cowing's had great OTAs so far,' Purdy said. 'He's getting in and out of cuts and he's the first one to lead lines and show guys how routes are supposed to be run. He's making a huge leap there.' THIS CONNECT 🔥@MacJones_10 ➡️ @jaycowing_ — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) June 4, 2025 • The 49ers were light on defensive ends Wednesday. Nick Bosa was taking a rest day, Yetur Gross-Matos is away for the birth of his child and Mykel Williams, while in uniform, didn't take part in any of the drills. That left newcomer Bryce Huff as the most prominent edge rusher at practice followed by Sam Okuayinonu, Robert Beal Jr., Tarron Jackson and Jonathan Garvin. Advertisement Bosa seemed particularly excited to have Huff, who was wearing the same No. 47 he had with the New York Jets, as a potential bookend on pass-rush downs. 'He was one of the guys that I liked to really watch when he was with the Jets,' he said. 'Obviously it didn't work out with the Eagles. But you take a guy who's playing a four-down attack front and you put him as an outside 'backer, it's not always gonna work out. He's really elite at certain things, so we're going to use him that way. And I'm excited to see it.' A look at new guy Bryce Huff, who was one of the few DEs practicing today. — Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) June 4, 2025 • Bosa was also asked about first-round pick Williams, who could be Bosa's counterpart on base downs. 'He's eager to learn, more so than I've seen from probably any young guy,' he said. 'He wants to learn as much as he can. And I'm excited to give all the knowledge I can to him. I think he's got a ton of talent. So, sky's the limit.' • Trent Williams was back at practice after missing last week's open OTA session. He took part in individual drills but not any of the team activities. Spencer Burford, Sebastian Gutierrez and Isaac Alarcon filled in at left tackle. Colton McKivitz and Austen Pleasants played right tackle., • A few players who weren't at last week's practice — including Beal and defensive tackle Evan Anderson — were back for Wednesday's practice. Anderson, who wore No. 69 last year, is in a new jersey, No. 55, this year. Those who didn't practice included receiver Jauan Jennings (seen in weight room), receiver Brandon Aiyuk (ACL), receiver Pearsall (hamstring), linebacker Curtis Robinson (ACL), defensive tackle Alfred Collins (calf), safety Ji'Ayir Brown (ankle), tackle Andre Dillard (unknown) and quarterback Kurtis Rourke (ACL). Advertisement • Like last week, injured safety Malik Mustapha (ACL) watched practice in deep center field next to general manager John Lynch. Rookie safety Marques Sigle (sports hernia) watched practice next to veteran safety George Odum (knee). • With Trent Taylor (back) on injured reserve, the three who practiced punt returns were Cowing and rookies Jordan Watkins and Junior Bergen. Watkins got a nice plug from Purdy, who said he's made several explosive plays this spring. 'He's definitely a rookie that's popped out for everybody,' Purdy said. • Shanahan usually functions as the quarterback during the defense-only portion of practice. On Wednesday, that role went to defensive quality control coach Jake Lynch, the son of the team's GM. Jake Lynch was a linebacker at Stanford and, well, Shanahan's job seems safe. (Photo of Mac Jones: Matthew Huang / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
