I often wonder how Mac Jones' career might have turned out if the San Francisco 49ers had selected him over Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. There was significant smoke around Jones and the 49ers, with reports of him impressing head coach Kyle Shanahan in interviews.
It looks like we're finally going to get a chance to find out, nearly five years later.
Jones had been trending to get the start for the 49ers this week, but now it appears he could be the guy for the foreseeable future, with Brock Purdy being sidelined with a turf toe injury that could keep him out for 2-5 weeks:
49ers QB Brock Purdy will miss 2-5 weeks with a form of turf toe. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/CcuyQngF6H
— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2025
Jones was selected with the 15th pick in the 2021 draft by the New England Patriots. The 49ers settled on North Dakota State's Trey Lance with the No. 3 pick. Jones only lasted three seasons with the Patriots, which was a full season longer than Lance lasted in San Francisco before an unceremonious trade.
Jones had a promising rookie season with the Patriots, even earning a Pro Bowl invite, but took major steps backward the next two seasons. The Patriots traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars last offseason, and he spent 2024 as Trevor Lawrence's backup. Jones ultimately started eight games for the Jags following an injury to Lawrence, finishing the season with a QBR of 36.6 and eight touchdowns to eight interceptions.
Jones signed a two-year free agent deal over the offseason with the 49ers. He quickly finds himself with another opportunity to start.
Mac Jones' career may have panned out totally different in San Francisco
Kyle Shanahan is a terrific QB coach and developer, turning Brock Purdy from Mr. Irrelevant to, when healthy, a top NFL QB.
It's fair to wonder what might have happened to Jones's career if he had gotten to start out with the Niners instead. He showed plenty of promise during his rookie season in New England, but baffling coaching changes seemed to derail that promise rather quickly.
The 2021 QB class has been full of busts. Of the five quarterbacks selected in the first round, only Lawrence - the No. 1 pick - remains on the team that drafted him.
No. 2 pick Zach Wilson lasted three years with the Jets before being traded to the Broncos and then signing this offseason with the Dolphins to backup Tua Tagovailoa.
No. 3 pick Trey Lance lasted two years with the 49ers before being traded to the Cowboys. Lance signed over the offseason with the Chargers to backup Justin Herbert.
No. 11 pick Justin Fields is also on his third team, and the only of the five outside of Lawrence to enter this season as a starter. Fields spent three years with the Bears before getting traded to the Steelers last year. He's now with the Jets and off to a promising start in the Big Apple.
Jones has proven to be a solid backup QB, and one who will carve out a long-term NFL career in that role. There are worse fates than that, no doubt. But Jones will get another opportunity to start, and one he hopes to take full advantage of for a team he might've played for in an alternate timeline.