Mac Jones could have positioned himself for a sizable payday this offseason had he signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers instead of the two-year contract he agreed to last year. After spending a season under head coach Kyle Shanahan, however, the veteran quarterback has no regrets about his decision.
Jones proved his value during the 2025 season when he stepped in for an injured Brock Purdy. The veteran started eight games, leading the 49ers to a 5-3 record. He finished the season completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions—a performance that reinforced the belief that he deserves another opportunity to start in the NFL.
Not surprisingly, Jones generated trade interest during the offseason. However, the 49ers were in no rush to move on from a quarterback who provided stability and reliable insurance behind Purdy. Their trade demands were viewed as unreasonable, emphasizing Jones' importance to the team.
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Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Jones said he has no second thoughts about signing a two-year deal and is excited to return to the 49ers in 2026. He also acknowledged that things could have unfolded very differently had he bet on himself with a shorter contract.
"It's hard because what if it went the other way?" Jones said. "What if I was on a one-year deal and played like crap? And then, I'm on the street."
Jones laughed after making the comment.
"Any years you can get in the league, just being on a team is a blessing for me," Jones continued. "And obviously, I have a higher ceiling than just that, but that's the basis. You want to make sure you're good to go. So, I'm not stressing about it. I think it's all good."
Jones has become a locker-room favorite with the 49ers and has shown he can be a valuable asset to any organization.
"I think people are seeing what type of teammate I can be, and to do something again twice is sometimes good," Jones said. "Honestly, since college, I haven't had the same coordinator since 2019 in back-to-back years, so this will be the first time. It'll be interesting to see if I can stack a good year.
"Yeah, the one-year versus two-year thing is definitely a legit question, but it'll all work out how it's supposed to."
Although Jones' long-term future remains uncertain, he remains focused on helping the 49ers succeed in 2026. Whether that means supporting Purdy from the sideline or stepping into the lineup when called upon, Jones is determined to be ready.
"Whenever I'm needed, that's my job, is to support Brock," Jones said. "It's his team, and he played very well towards the end of the year, and I feel like it was just a lot of fun. We want to continue that—the good vibes in there—and I'm looking forward to trying not to focus on the future, just focus on now."
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