The San Francisco 49ers made one of the best moves in the league last offseason, signing quarterback Mac Jones to a two-year, $7 million deal to be Brock Purdy’s backup and learn Kyle Shanahan’s system.
With Purdy dealing with injuries, Jones was asked to start eight games this year, and he led the team to a 5-3 record in those games, while completing 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
As the 49ers prepare for 2026, they’ll have to decide whether to keep or trade Jones, who could start for another team and get San Francisco some draft picks back in return.
While Jones may want to start elsewhere, he’s happy with the 49ers for now.
“I signed a two-year deal here, and I’ve absolutely loved it,” Jones told former NFL center Mitch Morse. “I got that joy back that I was looking for, and I talked about the PhD in football, I truly believe that I got that this year. Things I maybe thought I knew, but I didn’t know yet, Kyle helped me find that.
“I’m looking forward to doing it again next year, but as you know, it’s a business, and they have to make a business decision, and I have to. I love the 49ers, so if I’m here, I’m going to be happy, and if something happens, you know what I can do. I proved that this year. When I’ve had the right situation, I feel like I’ve proved that. I’m excited for it. I mean, as you know, it’s a waiting game/unpredictability.”
Jones may not be playing on the type of contract a former first-round pick normally does, but having that love for the game back makes up for the extra cash.
“That, to me, is worth a lot of money, just getting that back and getting back to winning,” Jones said. “I found that when we were in Jacksonville, I do believe I had fun, even though considering the circumstances, but I was searching for that. Kyle and I, we just have a great relationship, and he wanted me to be here with him when I was coming out of the draft, and obviously, it went different ways, but that’s what it’s all about is reconnecting with people that either see value in you or whatnot. I don’t know, I just heard stories about him.
“Brian Hoyer used to be my backup in New England and just hearing the stories about Kyle and how he sees the run game, the pass game and running the team meetings. It was just interesting. Finally, I got to see it this year, and that was just awesome, so if I have to obviously be here, great.”
Jones seems to have an affinity for San Francisco as well as his head coach. However, with Purdy on a lucrative five-year extension, there’s an expiration date on the 27-year-old’s time with the 49ers. He’ll just enjoy the ride until then.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Mac Jones says he’d be happy to be back with 49ers again in 2026
Reporting by Mike Masala, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
