Former All-American from AlabamaIn his debut season with the San Francisco 49ers, Mac Jones is eager to return to winning ways.
Jones led the attack for a team that won the 2020 CFP national title without dropping a game during his final season with the Crimson Tide. Jones started every game for the New England Patriots, the team that made it to the playoffs the last time he played in the NFL.
However, in the three seasons that followed, Jones’ teams finished 6-13 without him in the starting lineup, and he had a 10-22 record as a starting quarterback.
To support quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers signed Jones as a free agency in March.
Jones told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan while lending support to teammate George Kittle’s Tight End University, “I know that we’re going to get it back on track here this year. It’s just a bunch of winners, like I said when I signed.” It’s a great well-run organization, and the coaches and players put in a lot of work every day, so I’m excited to keep learning and developing.
San Francisco had a 6-11 record in 2024 after making it to the Super Bowl for the 2023 season and participating in three straight NFC Championship games. Additionally, the 49ers only won six games in 2020 before winning 35 games in the regular season and six in the postseason during the next three years.
Jones stated that he wants to continue developing as a player, a person, and a teammate in addition to helping San Francisco reclaim its form in 2025. He said, “I know it’s going to take care of itself the way I work.” They also inspired me, therefore I’m putting in a lot of effort. They are putting up a lot of effort. And when I have to go in, I want to be prepared to play. And you can’t ask for more.
While working with Purdy and San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan during the 49ers offseason program, Jones claimed he made strides toward that objective.
After just a few months of dating, Jones remarked, “Kyle has been really cool and smart the way he sees the game.” I’ve heard the stories, after all. However, it has been incredibly cool for me to be in the room and see him break down defense, offense, and special teams. It’s also been really helpful so far to learn more about offense and defense simultaneously, even though I’ve certainly learned a lot about the defensive side of the ball in the past.
As the fifteenth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones joined the league. As the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy joined the league. Purdy has been the starting quarterback ever since he stepped into the starting lineup as a rookie and led San Francisco to seven consecutive wins that sent them to the NFC Championship Game.
Jones remarked of Purdy, “He’s very, like, meticulous about how he goes about his work.” Furthermore, I’ve known him for a fair amount of time. However, to truly get to know him and observe his methods, he is extremely Type A, well-organized, and meticulous. He has achieved success in the league because of this. He has constantly done it. And he’s making a lot of effort to repeat it. For example, he is not content simply because he enjoyed a few successful years. It’s pretty wonderful since he aspires to be excellent every day.
LINK: 49ERS QUARTERBACKS BROCK PURDY SHARE ALABAMA CONNECTION, MAC JONES
When Jones was dealt to the Jacksonville Jaguars by the Patriots last offseason, he also moved teams. In the last season of his rookie contract, Jones was able to start seven games for Jacksonville due to injuries to Trevor Lawrence.
On November 1st, Jones started a 12-7 loss against the Minnesota Vikings, and on November 17th, he started a 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions. After entering a 23–20 defeat to the Houston Texans on December 1, Jones took the remaining snaps for the Jacksonville offense, and Lawrence’s return to the lineup lasted less than an hour.
After that game, Jones ran for 77 yards on 21 rushes and completed 134 of 202 throws for 1,395 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. Jones was sixth in the NFL in passing yards during the last six weeks of the regular season.
The Jaguars finished the season with a 4-13 record after winning two of Jones’ final five starts.
During his summer vacation, Jones assisted at Tight End University. With the rookies reporting on July 15 and the veterans on July 22, the 49ers resume work when training camp begins.
San Francisco’s regular-season schedule begins on September 7 against the Seattle Seahawks, while the three-game preseason schedule begins on August 9 against the Denver Broncos.
“The 49ers offseason program was really well attended,” Jones remarked. I’ve played for a few teams, and OTA attendance is consistently respectable. That was fantastic, though, since I think a truly good squad has a lot of guys on it, like 99 percent or something. Also for the young men. I was discussing with some of the rookies how great it is to learn from a player who is considered to be a Hall of Famer, such as George or, you know, any linebacker on the team, like Fred Warner. They hopefully take that to heart because it will benefit you in the long run if you’re a rookie player in the league and you can learn from great players.
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Mark Inabinett works for Alabama Media Group as a sports writer. You may follow him at @AMarkG1 on X.
