Quarterback Mac Jones has moved past the head-spinning learning curve of his first offseason with the San Francisco 49ers. After some inconsistent performances during organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp, Jones has looked solid in training camp—proof that his work during the team's 40-day break paid off.
"I did like 10 practices on my own in full pads [during the time away]," Jones revealed to reporters. "So that was kind of my plan leading up to this, and I feel like that really helped to go through each install."
Jones used what he learned during the offseason program and built upon it heading into camp.
Jones focused on improving mobility
The veteran quarterback, acquired to back up Brock Purdy, admitted there's one area he's particularly focused on improving—an aspect critics have often questioned—his mobility.
"I guess everyone thinks I'm really slow," Jones said with a laugh. "Maybe I look like Forrest Gump out there sometimes. I've been working on my quickness, and I think that's one part of my game I improved last year on tape—if you watch the tape and stuff.
"And really, throughout my career, I've had some good scrambles, but here, it's really about playing on time, and then also being able to scramble. I think Brock does such a good job of that. Watching the tape, he goes through his reads, and then he goes and makes plays."
Jones emphasized how even a small scramble can make a big difference in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
"There's a fine balance and mix talked about of just playing with your rhythm and timing, but also just playing the game of football and taking those five yards," Jones explained. "If you can scramble and get five, it makes it a lot easier on Kyle to call the game from like 1st-and-10 to 2nd-and-5 versus 2nd-and-10."
Committing to throws in Shanahan's system
Jones also noted his focus on being more decisive and trusting his reads within Shanahan's complex offensive scheme.
"I think it's definitely a mentality, and you've got to wake up feeling that way, and not be reckless, but commit to each throw," Jones said. "Mick's (QB coach Mick Lombardi) talked a lot about that, and I feel like I've done that.
"Whether it's a good throw or a bad throw, at least I'm sending it and committing to it, and I think that's what you have to do. You can't be in between on decisions—and living with your decisions, especially in a new system."
The quarterback acknowledged that practice is about learning from both good and bad reps.
"I feel like at practice sometimes, maybe I ripped one I shouldn't have or whatever," Jones said. "Maybe I ripped one that I should and it works out great. So it's all learning and committing to the throw."
Learning from Brock Purdy
Jones has also grown more comfortable thanks to his work with Purdy, who has been a good example of how to thrive in Shanahan's offense.
"Brock's done a great job in the system," Jones said. "He's very consistent every day. Comes to work every day, and I really just watch what he does—his footwork, his timing, ask him a question about a motion or a play that he's run in the past. He's just been great at telling me how to do it the right way and vice versa.
"I mean, anything that I can help him with, I will. Obviously, he's a pretty independent guy. I'm looking forward to just being with him, and watching his tape, and obviously, he'll watch mine, and we'll just bounce ideas off each other—and that's how you get better."