Mac Jones, the NFL quarterback currently with the San Francisco 49ers, spent the 2025 season backing up Brock Purdy, including stepping in as the starter for eight games due to Purdy’s toe injury. Jones aims to continue proving himself and is confident in his ability to lead any NFL team to victory.
Jones’ journey mirrors that of fellow former first-rounder Sam Darnold, who also backed up Purdy two seasons earlier. Jones reflected on how his time with the 49ers and exposure to coach Kyle Shanahan’s system has been pivotal in his development and outlook.
Learning from Experience and Growing Confidence on the Field
Jones spoke candidly about the progress he made while playing with San Francisco. On NFL Network’s The Insiders, he said,
I get asked that a lot, and it’s a great question because everyone’s journey is so different, and I feel like I’ve watched (Darnold) in interviews and stuff, and he does say that San Francisco and learning from (coach) Kyle (Shanahan) and Brock really changed his career, and I see why now. Like, I learned so much this year, and I’ve, obviously, been coached by some great coaches and I know a lot and I’ve learned a lot. But I really learned a lot this year. I know Sam probably felt the same way, and you can see it on the tape. …
He continued,
So it’s definitely motivating for me. I feel like I can get back and do that. And I have my swag back, and I feel like that’s important to me. And I can go out there and win games for whoever.
Strong Performance in 2025 Amid Starting Opportunities
Signed last offseason as a free agent to support Purdy, Jones started eight games in the 2025 season after Purdy’s injury. During those starts, he completed 201 out of 289 pass attempts, amassing 2,151 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. His average passing yards per game ranked second in the NFL for quarterbacks with at least eight starts, while his passing-efficiency rating placed 13th.
Jones’ statistics surpassed his previous full-time starter seasons, demonstrating his ongoing growth and resilience as a quarterback.
Developing Leadership Through Communication and Authenticity
Jones credits his ability to lead partly to his strong communication skills, which he described as his “superpower.” Wide receiver Nelson Agholor reminded him of this early in his career during his 2021 rookie season with the New England Patriots. Jones said his personality became more pronounced during his time with the 49ers, allowing him to embrace a more natural and confident leadership style.
Describing his evolution, Jones said,
Coming to the league, being on the Patriots, like, it is a little bit more of a stiff operation,
and added,
“And they won that way a lot of times. But my personality, like, started to show a little bit each year, and this year I do agree, my fifth year, I’m kind of like — not that you don’t care – like, I’m just going to be myself and have fun, because at this point I know what the NFL is. I played five years, started tons of games, like 50-plus games. And for me, it’s all about having fun. Like, I enjoy the practices and the meetings and the golf simulator when we were in Jacksonville. Like, playing video games. Like, that stuff’s fun to me, too. Like, I love the game, obviously. Like, that’s what we all do it for. I mean, at first when you’re a rookie, everybody’s going to be like a little, you know, you’re kind of, like, looking around, walking on eggshells a little bit. But I feel like I just matured in a way that’s helped me a lot in my fifth year.”
Jones appreciated the positive atmosphere fostered by the 49ers, mentioning that team meetings often open with energetic music from artists such as Gunna and Lil Wayne, setting a motivating tone for the day early on.
He described it as,
This year was a lot of fun being here in San Francisco. Like, talk about a team that just, like, has fun with it. And, like, the vibes, the meetings — you walk in and they’re like playing Gunna and Lil Wayne, and you walk in at 8 a.m., you’re like, ‘All right, let’s start this day off.’
Early NFL Success and Transition to New Teams
Jones’ football career features significant highlights, including leading Alabama to a College Football Playoff national championship with an undefeated season in 2020. The quarterback immediately became a starter in the NFL with the New England Patriots and made the playoffs and Pro Bowl during his rookie season, starting his first 42 games with the team.
In 2023, after being benched with six games left in the season, Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 10, 2024. He started seven games with the Jaguars due to injuries sustained by Trevor Lawrence, contributing his experience to the team during that time.
San Francisco’s Commitment to Jones and His Future Aspirations
Following San Francisco’s five wins in games that Jones started, coach Kyle Shanahan expressed strong support for keeping the quarterback with the team. At his season-ending press conference in January, Shanahan said,
You always listen to people with trade offers,
adding,
But we’re also not into getting rid of good players, so I’d be very surprised if Mac wasn’t around us next year.
Jones signed a two-year contract with the 49ers last offseason and is optimistic about his role going forward. Reflecting on staying with San Francisco, he said,
If I do that again next year, I’ll be really excited,
and acknowledged,
I feel like it’s a good fit for me. And honestly, it’s a business. You know how this goes, and I’ve proven that I can be a starter, you know, in multiple different spots. I have 50-plus starts or whatever, so I know how to do it. But it’s also a business, and I understand both sides of it.
Considering Future Opportunities and Team Fits
Jones also discussed the importance of being in the right situation for continued success, especially as several NFL teams may consider quarterback changes for the 2026 season. He emphasized the value of playing in an offense surrounded by talented playmakers.
On this topic, Jones remarked,
What I do know is you got to be in the right situation,
continuing,
That’s definitely what I learned this year. Just being in the right offense with playmakers around you, that’s important. So any quarterback that’s in free agency or could get traded or whatever your situation is, like, you want to go somewhere that fits and makes sense. So at the end of the day, that’s what I want in San Francisco, and I think we’ll see what happens. I think it’s good to be talked about, and, at the end of day, I want to just keep playing good ball.
From The Insiders live from Radio Row: #49ers QB Mac Jones joined the show to discuss his former team, facing the #Seahawks… and what his future holds. pic.twitter.com/CJ6Ds1fqQY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2026
