Mac Jones is on his third NFL stop and working on getting his career back on track. He thinks he’s in the right place to do it.
The former New England Patriots starting quarterback is set to learn under San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who’s generally regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the league.
Talking to reporters Wednesday, Jones sure sounded excited to work within Shanahan’s coaching style.
“It’s really interesting to watch it and see how they see the game, because it is the correct way to see it. And as you can tell, the quarterback play is very efficient,” Jones said.
Jones is set to have the same role – an AFC East castoff turned backup behind Brock Purdy – as Sam Darnold a couple of years ago. Talking to reporters Thursday, Jones said that was part of the attraction for him signing with San Francisco in free agency.
When asked what makes Shanahan’s offense so quarterback-friendly, Jones admitted it was “definitely a loaded question.” But then explained the elements of Shanahan’s coaching that he thinks work for quarterbacks.
“I think they do a great job explaining what the expectation of each play is and why they’re doing a certain play,” Jones said. “There’s nothing left up to doubt, if that makes sense. Everything’s based on timing and rhythm and also playing off structure. So (it) has all three elements of quarterback play.”
Ever since making the Pro Bowl as a Patriots rookie in 2021, Jones has been looking to get back on track in the NFL. He famously fell out of favor toward the end of his tenure in New England before being traded to the Jaguars in 2024.
Jones started this past season as a backup in Jacksonville. But after a major injury to Trevor Lawrence, Jones became the interim starter, with middling results.
Now, Jones will be looking spark his career once again. We’ll see this year if he can pull of a Darnold-like revival in the NFL.