Mac Jones
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Mac Jones #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates the teams 26-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in the game at Caesars Superdome on September 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Mac Jones, a former top-15 pick, led the San Francisco 49ers to victory on Sunday over the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome.
Niners starting quarterback Brock Purdy will be out two to five weeks with a turf-toe-like injury, resulting in Jones being the starter moving forward.
It was a glorious start to a third act of Jones’ career, once drafted in 2021 by the New England Patriots to replace Tom Brady.
Jones passed for 279 yards and matched his career high with three touchdowns as the injury-plagued 49ers edged the Saints 26-21 on Sunday.
Mac Jones Discusses Overcoming Nerves
His teammates say he’s a new Jones; one filled with confidence. Jones said he battled some nerves headed into kickoff.
“I’ve worked a lot on my mindset this offseason and obviously when you’re having your first start, you’re gonna have a couple nerves, but just working through those,” Jones said postgame. “Once I finally got into a rhythm and I felt like the line did a great job blocking for me and when they do that, I know I can sit in there and let it fly.
Jones’ performance wasn’t perfect. He recorded a fumble on the day after being too indecisive in the pocket resulting in defensive end Chris Rumph hitting him as he began to throw. The fumble let to New Orleans scoring a touchdown and staying within reach of the lead.
“I definitely had a plan coming in and I’m gonna learn from the mistakes I made and then fix them,” Jones said. “That’s all you can do, you gotta start somewhere.”
But Jones finished the game strong, throwing a touchdown pass in the fourth-quarter to Jauan Jennings, who returned from injury on Sunday.
Mac Jones
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 14: Mac Jones #10 of the San Francisco 49ers is congratulated by Christian McCaffrey #23 after passing the ball for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second half in the game at Caesars Superdome on September 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Mac Jones Got a Little Boost from Trent Williams
“So, definitely things to clean up, but really proud of the guys.” Jones said.
Those teammates help instill more confidence in the 27-year-old quarterback.
On Sunday, Jones got a little pick-me-up from All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams.
“Trent came up to me and was like, ‘You’re good, dude, just go out there and hoop,'” Jones said. “And I was like, ‘I got you. I can go hoop.’ Once he said that, I was like, ‘All right, let’s go out and play ball.’ So that was kinda cool.”
Mac Jones Was Picked to Replace Tom Brady
Coming out of the University of Alabama, Jones seemed like a natural successor to Brady because he did so much winning in Tuscaloosa under head coach Nick Saban, a close friend to Bill Belichick.
Jones has two college football national championships and was a consensus All-American, along with other quarterback awards.
Taken No. 15 overall, Jones was predicted to be selected third overall by the Niners. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch drafted Trey Lance out of North Dakota State.
Jones never really got his footing in New England after beating out former MVP Cam Newton for the starting job.
In March 2024, Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick. Then he signed with the 49ers in March.