Mac Jones Revives Career as 49ers Backup Star/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Mac Jones is thriving in San Francisco, leading the 49ers to a 3-0 record while filling in for the injured Brock Purdy. The former Patriots first-rounder is the latest quarterback to succeed after being cast aside. Like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, Jones is proving that coaching and fit matter more than a team’s patience.
Mac Jones Resurgence: Quick Looks
- Jones leads 49ers to 3-0 record as Purdy’s backup.
- Threw for 342 yards, 2 TDs in OT win over Rams.
- Performed without top weapons: Kittle, Aiyuk, and others all out.
- Shanahan told Jones to “let it fly” before the game.
- Jones was 15th overall pick by New England in 2021.
- After a strong rookie year, he struggled post-McDaniels and was traded.
- Coaching changes and scheme fit now key to his turnaround.
- Similar QB redemption arcs: Mayfield, Darnold, Goff, Geno Smith.
Deep Look
Mac Jones Finds His Fit with 49ers, Becomes the NFL’s Latest Quarterback Redemption Story
Mac Jones, once written off as another failed first-round pick, is now proving he still belongs among the NFL’s starting quarterbacks. Now on his third team in three seasons, Jones has found a new home in San Francisco, where he’s currently 3-0 as the 49ers’ starter while Brock Purdy recovers from injury.
Jones’ most recent performance — a gritty 342-yard, two-touchdown outing in a 26-23 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams — has turned heads across the league. Despite being without major offensive stars like George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and even pass rusher Nick Bosa, Jones led the injury-depleted 49ers to victory.
The performance earned praise from across the 49ers roster.
“I can’t say enough good things about Mac,” said star running back Christian McCaffrey. “He’s a warrior. He’s so poised… His toughness and grit help us win these football games.”
Once Cast Aside, Now Rising Again
Jones’ journey has been turbulent. Drafted 15th overall in 2021 by the New England Patriots to fill the void left by Tom Brady, Jones had a promising rookie season under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, helping lead the team to the playoffs. But after McDaniels left, Jones regressed, going 8-17 over the next two years before being traded to Jacksonville, where he served as a backup.
After starting seven games for the Jaguars in 2024 (going 2-5), Jones landed in San Francisco behind Brock Purdy, who had just signed a $265 million contract extension. An injury to Purdy gave Jones his shot — and he hasn’t missed.
Coaching and Fit Are Everything
Jones is the latest reminder that success for NFL quarterbacks is about more than raw talent — it’s about system, coaching, and support. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has a proven track record of maximizing QB potential, turning Brock Purdy into a franchise star and previously guiding Jimmy Garoppolo to a Super Bowl.
“Kyle came up to me before the game and he was ticked that we were underdogs,” Jones said in a postgame interview. “He said: ‘Let it fly.’ I’m like: ‘Coach, you don’t have to tell me twice.’”
Shanahan’s belief in Jones echoes a growing trend across the league: quarterbacks once labeled busts are finding success in new environments.
Mayfield, Darnold, and the Quarterback Comeback Club
Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold — both top picks from the 2018 draft — are shining examples of quarterbacks flourishing after early career turbulence.
Mayfield, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leads the NFL in touchdown passes (77) since arriving in Tampa in 2023. After being discarded by Cleveland in favor of Deshaun Watson, and cut by Carolina, he landed in L.A. briefly before securing a starting job and thriving in Tampa Bay.
Darnold, meanwhile, struggled in New York and Carolina before joining the 49ers in 2023 as a backup. When he got another chance due to injury in Minnesota, he led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, made the Pro Bowl, and earned a $100.5 million deal with Seattle in 2025.
Both quarterbacks — like Jones — demonstrate that a change in environment, coaching style, and system can be career-defining.
“It’s not just about getting a second chance — it’s about getting the right fit,” said former college star and ESPN analyst Tim Tebow. “Some QBs go to teams that aren’t built for their skill set. Then they land somewhere new and suddenly, they thrive.”
NFL Legends Urge Patience with Young QBs
Veterans and former players continue to advocate for more patience with developing quarterbacks. Cooper Kupp, now catching passes from Darnold in Seattle, stressed the importance of letting young quarterbacks learn from mistakes without fear of losing their jobs.
“You’ve got to give guys the freedom to make mistakes,” said Kupp. “We’re so critical of QBs because they touch the ball every play. But they need room to grow.”
Kupp explained that the league often expects perfection too soon, but the best quarterbacks — from Geno Smith to Jared Goff to Daniel Jones — all benefited from time, learning, and the right support.
“If you just let them get to that place where they can learn and figure it out, they’ll flourish,” Kupp added.
Is Mac Jones the Next Comeback Success?
If Jones continues to shine in Shanahan’s system, he may be the next name added to a growing list of comeback QBs. With Purdy returning soon, San Francisco could face a tough decision — but for now, they’ve got a proven option ready to go.
At just 27 years old, Jones’ NFL story is far from over. But his journey makes one thing clear: fit, patience, and coaching matter more than ever in today’s quarterback landscape.
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