San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones recently joined the Bussin' with the Boys podcast for a wide-ranging conversation. Among the topics he discussed were the 49ers choosing Trey Lance over him in the 2021 NFL Draft, finally joining Kyle Shanahan's team four years later, and his view of his NFL future.
Mac Jones reflects on the 49ers drafting Trey Lance
In 2021, the 49ers were searching for their quarterback of the future. They aggressively moved up the draft board, trading the No. 12 overall pick that year, first-round selections in 2022 and 2023, and a 2022 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for the No. 3 overall selection.
As draft day approached, many believed the decision had narrowed to Jones or Lance. The 49ers kept their plans under wraps until commissioner Roger Goodell announced the pick.
San Francisco ultimately selected Lance, who spent two seasons with the team before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys after making only four starts.
Looking back, Jones has no hard feelings.
"I remember like all the hype leading up to it, but yeah, I think everything happens for a reason," Jones said. "Like I'm here where I'm at now, and I did think—they traded up for somebody, and I knew it was one of two people, and I was one of the people. So, I guess if you're a gambling man, it's a 50/50 shot at the start."
Jones recalled his extensive pre-draft meetings with Shanahan and the 49ers.
"And I felt like I had really good interviews," Jones said. "Kyle really liked what I was doing on Zoom. My Zoom setup was incredible. I had the whiteboard and all the right s--t. I'm like, I'm gonna do this right. So, I had it all, and I would go in there and show tape and try and show them what my superpower is, which is my ability to process and be smart, and also like rip it, and show them that I have that side of me too."
He entered draft night believing he had a legitimate chance to land in San Francisco.
"So I think I had good interviews, and leading up to it, I was like feeling good about it," Jones said. "And I met with a bunch of teams, and a lot of teams thought I was going to be gone, so they didn't even meet with me. Anyways, so like the day comes, and I ended up not getting picked by them, and I didn't really know. It was 50/50. We really didn't [know]. And they went with Trey, which is just fine. And Trey, I know Trey. He's a good dude.
"And I think, Kyle, he really wanted me to get back there somehow, like when I went to New England."
Jones even joked that the 49ers could have saved themselves a historic trade package. After all, the team initially owned the No. 12 overall pick. The New England Patriots ended up selecting Jones at No. 15.
"You could have just picked me at 12," he said with a laugh. "I don't know if I'm worth three first-round picks, but s--t, sign me up."
In 2024, the Patriots traded Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The quarterback confirmed that the 49ers were interested in acquiring him, too.
"I think, even the year I got traded, they were trying to get me back in San Francisco, from Patriots to Jaguars," Jones said. "So they were trying to get me to San Francisco then, but they ended up not doing it."
Then, free agency finally arrived for Jones in 2025, allowing him to sign wherever he wanted, ultimately landing him with the 49ers.
"So yeah, it's been a crazy journey or whatever, and people can criticize the pick or picking me, not picking me, whatever," he said. "It doesn't matter. I think it all happens for a reason."
Mac Jones explains why joining the 49ers felt right
Joining the 49ers allowed Jones to reset his career behind starter Brock Purdy rather than immediately being expected to lead a franchise. He embraced the chance to learn within Shanahan's system.
"I was really excited because that was the first time since my first year [with the] Patriots, and Alabama, that I felt like I had real, real structure," Jones said. "Like, proven structure. And so, that was a relief for me. I took that, 'I'm going to prove everybody [wrong],' and I was like, 'I'm just going to be like a rookie again, and just learn everything, and be a sponge, and be a great teammate, and meet these guys.' The guys on the team are awesome. It's like the best team I've been on."
With little pressure to play immediately, Jones said he was able to focus on refining the fundamentals of his game and rediscovering his passion for football.
Jones admitted he didn't have many options when he entered free agency after an inconsistent stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he believes Shanahan understood the circumstances surrounding his struggles.
"Trust me, I didn't have a crazy amount of options, to be honest," Jones said. "I played in Jacksonville, and there was good tape, but it wasn't consistent. But Kyle, he knows football. He's like, 'This kid got screwed,' or whatever you want to call it. It just didn't work out. And, 'I can get this kid back on track.' I feel like he really saw that.
"And, honestly, we did. And now, I'm going to keep doing that. But I really appreciate it because, Kyle, it's always been me and Kyle. I feel like that was always supposed to happen."
Mac Jones on his NFL future
Jones signed a two-year contract with the 49ers, keeping him in Santa Clara through the 2026 season. Had he opted for a one-year deal, he may have positioned himself for a bigger payday this offseason. Instead, he'll have to wait until 2027 to test free agency again.
Still, Jones has no regrets about his decision.
"I signed a two-year deal, so I get it," Jones said. "But like, that's where I was at, at the time. I wanted to make sure I was on a team. I didn't know how it was going to go. It could have gone either way ... If I play bad on a one-year deal, it's like, maybe you're not even on a team. Just be on a team. That's my number one goal.
"And then, obviously, I know that I can play higher than just being on the team. I could be a starter. And this year, if I'm going to be a backup, that's great. You're judged by what you do when you're out there. So whether you're a backup or starter or kicker, it doesn't matter. Whatever you put on tape is on tape."
During the offseason, there was speculation that the 49ers could trade Jones after he capably filled in for Brock Purdy while the starter battled a turf toe injury last season.
No trade ever materialized, however, and Jones appears poised to open the 2026 season as Purdy's backup once again.
"But yeah, this offseason was tough a little bit—just like gathering all those thoughts and trying to stay locked in," Jones said. "That's like all extra noise, but it is out there, and you're getting questions about it every event you go to, s--t like that."
Jones hopes his career follows a path similar to that of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who revitalized his career after spending a season with the 49ers. Darnold parlayed that into a one-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings before signing a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seahawks.
There was a lot of criticism surrounding Darnold before he reached the 49ers, which Jones can relate to.
"Like seeing ghosts, all the stuff that I went through," Jones said. "So, he knows, and then he goes and wins the Super Bowl. How cool is that? Just like, hang your nuts on everybody. He's like, 'Yeah, I'm here now. I'm back.' So, I feel like I can get there, and I still have a lot to do, and I want to stack a couple of good years.
"I'm still 27. I have some good scars and bad scars, but I know I can play. But I do want to get that chance again, to run a team and be the guy ... It's hard when it's Brock's team—or any backup—I'm sure they deal with that.
"But if you can get that chance again, I feel like I can really elevate people around me. And whether that comes soon or later or never, I know I'm going to be ready for it. I hope it does happen."
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