The San Francisco 49ers have learned the hard way how important the backup quarterback position is to a team.
Not only did they lose a conference championship because of that a few years ago, but they also saw their season crumble with injuries taking a toll on the roster last season.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) walks out to the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
A 6-11 mark is never something to celebrate - even if it can be easily excused as an exhausted roster from the previous Super Bowl run.
San Francisco has gone through many changes this offseason as a roster. They have been forced to say goodbye to multiple pieces to their roster including a Pro Bowl cornerback and defensive tackle.
Along the way they have welcomed backup quarterback Mac Jones to provide some stability to the position gorup.
"I feel like there's a lot of good people here, a lot of winners here," Jones said, via the team website. "So really just wanted to surround myself with winners."
Jones was once the apple to the eye of head coach Kyle Shanahan when he came out of the 2021 Draft Class. San Fran chose Trey Lance and ended up imploding with him. It was only thanks to Brock Purdy the following year did the 49ers finally feel confident about their quarterback room.
Related: 49ers QB Brock Purdy At Center Of Nasty Media Beef
Now, Jones is finally with Shanahan, and the 49ers believe they have a quality backup if something happened to their franchise quarterback.
"I know Brock personally and he's done a great job and played really good football in the NFL, so I've been really watching him from afar on game film and stuff and really just want to learn from him and be a sponge," Jones said. "And obviously Kyle and his résumé speaks for itself. He's done a great job in the NFL and he always produces each year and that's something that I want to be around."
Jones will be competing for his role as all backups do, but he couldn't have landed in a better place for his career.
Related: 49ers Labeled 'Best Fit' for Possible Charvarius Ward Replacement
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 8:47 PM.