In the years following Brady's departure from the Patriots, the team struggled to find their next franchise quarterback, with Bill Belichick deferring the decision for a season by bringing in veteran Cam Newton in 2020. That put them in position to take one of the most highly regarded rookies in the next draft, as Alabama's Mac Jones fell into their lap with the 15th overall pick.
Whether the head coach really wanted to take Jones continues to be a debate, but it didn't look like a bad choice throughout his rookie season. Beyond that, however, was a dumpster fire, to put it kindly, which inevitably led to a massive downfall for the team that for the last two decades dominated the rest of the league.
It eventually came crashing down, with Belichick refusing to talk to Jones and the quarterback getting traded by Jerod Mayo and Co. last year. A big reason for that was their positioning in the draft, allowing them to take their presumed next starter in Drake Maye, and Jones hoping to get some playing time with the Jaguars.
That didn't go too well, and now he's with the 49ers, the team that allegedly wanted him during the 2021 draft, only to take Trey Lance instead, who is no longer on the team. They now have a chance to see if Jones can be the guy since Brock Purdy is injured and will miss some time, leaving the 49ers with a tough question the Patriots know all too well.
The 49ers might learn to regret taking a chance on Mac Jones at quarterback this season
Although they don't have any legitimate options beyond Jones to fill in for Purdy, it's a difficult decision for the 49ers to make and fully trust that Jones will put them in a position to win moving forward.
The coaching staff was highly complimentary of Jones throughout the summer, even stating that he looks like a starter in the NFL, and they might see that as soon as Week 2, hoping they won't regret it.
Brock Purdy has a left shoulder and toe injury that make him uncertain for Sunday’s game in New Orleans. Kyle Shanahan said the team will see how the practice week goes.
If Purdy cannot play, 49ers backup QB Mac Jones would be in line to start. pic.twitter.com/7ocnuD0UYI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2025
That was the fate the Patriots were dealt during his three years with the team, even if his circumstances weren't always the best. His performance from his rookie season rapidly declined, and he became more of a liability on the field than any sort of help, putting the team in the line of fire far too often for any team to think he was starter material.
He showed that during his time with the Jaguars, looking like the turnover machine Patriots fans grew to despise, and we might see that again as soon as this Sunday.
Obviously, the 49ers appear to be comfortable with having him under center, and they certainly have the firepower to help improve his chances of being successful, but it feels like a disaster in the making already.
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