If the San Francisco 49ers had taken a different path back in the 2021 NFL Draft, the last five years might look a whole lot different. And now, thanks to Mac Jones himself, we have a bit more insight into just how close that alternate reality came to happening.
Speaking on the “Monday Mornings with Mitch” podcast, Jones confirmed what had long been rumored: Kyle Shanahan had serious interest in drafting him out of Alabama. “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,” Jones said.
Instead, the 49ers went with Trey Lance at No. 3 overall, while Jones slid to the New England Patriots at pick No. 15. The rest, as they say, is history - but not without a few twists.
Lance’s time in San Francisco never quite took off. After a mix of injuries and inconsistency, the 49ers traded him to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. Meanwhile, Jones had his ups and downs in New England before eventually landing in the Bay Area last offseason on a two-year deal.
And now? That long-delayed pairing between Shanahan and Jones is finally a reality - and it’s starting to show signs of real promise.
“Just hearing the stories about Kyle and how he sees the run game and the pass game and running the team meetings, and it was just interesting. And finally, I got to see it this year, and that was just awesome,” Jones said.
Jones stepped in admirably when Brock Purdy was sidelined, starting eight games and winning five. He threw for 2,151 yards with 13 touchdowns to six interceptions, posting a passer rating of 97.4. That’s not just serviceable - that’s starter-level production, especially in Shanahan’s demanding offensive system.
And now, with the 2025 season in the rearview, the 49ers reportedly have no plans to move Jones. Shanahan has long admired his game, and after a solid showing in a backup role, there’s every reason to believe Jones will remain a key part of the quarterback room in 2026.
It’s a full-circle moment that took a few years to materialize - but it’s clear the mutual respect between coach and quarterback never faded. And if Jones continues to build on what he showed last season, the 49ers might just have one of the league’s most reliable insurance policies under center.