It seems like quarterback Mac Jones’ stock just keeps on rising. He just won his third straight start for the San Francisco 49ers, which makes it hard not to think about a world in which the Niners drafted Jones over quarterback Trey Lance way back in 2021.
In the lead up to the 2021 NFL Draft, many people believed the Niners were going to select Jones with the third overall pick. San Francisco traded up so it could take a quarterback, and Jones seemed like a good fit, given his style of play and the way he could work within head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Instead, San Francisco selected Lance, and the rest is history.
Lance only lasted with the 49ers for two-plus years, and the Niners moved on from him after it became apparent that Brock Purdy was the true franchise quarterback. Some are even questioning that now in light of Jones' play.
The rationale for picking Lance makes some sense, even if it was a disaster. On paper, Lance had a higher ceiling than Jones or then-Niners starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Lance displayed a talented arm and impressive speed in college, which is something the 49ers did not have. The Niners already had a serviceable pocket quarterback in Garoppolo, so drafting Jones may have seemed redundant.
As things turned out, Jones was drafted by the New England Patriots later in the first round. He had a solid rookie season, but struggles after that led to the Patriots moving on from him.
What if Jones had been drafted by Shanahan in 2021 and got the chance to fully develop in his offense right out of college? It is clear with the way that Jones has played so far this season that he is an almost perfect fit in Shanahan’s scheme. If Jones had been on the team in 2021, 2022, and 2023, when the Niners had a more talented and stacked roster, it is not unreasonable to think they may have ended up winning a Super Bowl in one of those seasons.
Who knows? Maybe they would have gotten it done in 2021 when the 49ers had to rely on a hobbled Garoppolo in the NFC Championship game and came up short.
It is always easy to play revisionist history, but that is how good Jones has been. One cannot help but wonder how things might have played out differently with him under center on those talented Niners teams.
Now, some are claiming there is a quarterback controversy between Purdy and Jones. This is a bit silly. If one had to choose between a fully healthy Purdy and Jones, Purdy is the better choice because of what he can do with his legs even if Jones may be a slightly better passer.
But if Purdy is out for a while longer, then the 49ers should be very happy they have Jones in the here and now even if it is easy for the mind to drift to what could have been in the past.