Many believed the San Francisco 49ers, who had the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, might target quarterback Mac Jones as their quarterback of the future. Instead, they selected Trey Lance, and the New England Patriots drafted Jones at No. 15.
Four years later, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports that the 49ers are signing Jones to a two-year, $7 million deal with $5 million guaranteed. The agreement adds a veteran backup for quarterback Brock Purdy and reportedly has a maximum value of $11.5 million.
Source: Mac Jones has agreed to terms with the #49ers on a 2-year deal for $7M with 5M guaranteed. Max value of $11.5M. A new, experienced backup for Brock Purdy.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2025
The two quarterbacks who backed up Purdy last season—Brandon Allen and Joshua Dobbs—are now free agents, with Dobbs set to sign with the Patriots. The 49ers also have Tanner Mordecai, who spent his rookie 2024 season on the practice squad.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that the 49ers were "locked in" on Lance and Jones during the 2021 NFL Draft after trading up to the No. 3 overall pick.
Jones spent three seasons with the Patriots, earning a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. He completed 171 of 262 passes (65.3%) for 1,672 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in his only season with Jacksonville, per Pro Football Reference.
Jones, 26, has completed 65.9% of his passes for 10,590 yards with 54 touchdowns and 44 interceptions in 52 career games (49 starts) over four NFL seasons. He has also added 419 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 145 carries.