5 Most Likely Mac Jones Destinations for 2024 After Patriots Benching
By Ryan Bunton
2. San Francisco 49ers
When San Francisco shipped three first-round picks and a third-rounder to Miami ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft to move up to the third overall pick, the 49ers did so with the idea that they would draft Mac Jones, per Adam Schefter.
Ultimately, San Francisco took North Dakota State product Trey Lance, and Jones fell to the Patriots at 15. Lance was a bonafide bust in the Bay Area, and was traded to Dallas this year after only throwing 102 passes in two seasons.
Now, the Niners might have the chance to add Jones to their roster without sacrificing the arsenal of draft capital that they surrendered in 2021.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme is regarded as quarterback-friendly, to the point that former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky said that if Jones was played for the 49ers, he would be performing at the same level as San Francisco starting QB Brock Purdy.
Orlovsky's hot take aside, Shanahan has maximized the production of Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Purdy. 49ers backup quarterback Sam Darnold will hit free agency after this season, so there might be an opportunity for Jones to back up the former Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy. Shanahan's offense could be beneficial for Jones to restore his confidence as well.
San Francisco was clearly interested in Jones only three years ago coming out of college, but will they be turned off by his poor performance in the last two seasons at the pro level? Or will they throw him a lifeline?