Report: Mac Jones, 49ers Agree to 2-Year, $7M Contract to Back Up Brock Purdy

Veteran quarterback Mac Jones is heading out of North Florida after agreeing to a two-year, $7 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Jones, who will now backup Brock Purdy, is guaranteed $5 million and can earn up to $11.5 million.

The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired Jones from the New England Patriots for a sixth-round pick, which became quarterback Joe Milton III, ahead of the 2024 season. Fortifying their QB depth proved shrewd for the Jags considering Lawrence was limited to 10 starts.

The 2022 Pro Bowler sprained the AC joint in his left shoulder and then suffered a concussion later in the year, the latter forcing him to miss the final five games.

Jones had a nice platform heading into his free agency, though he failed to make the most of it. Over the last eight weeks of the season, he threw for 1,644 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. His 39.7 QBR would've put him 31st if he had qualified for ESPN.com's leaderboard.

When Jones left the New England Patriots, there was some hope that he'd benefit from a change of scenery. Over time, it looked like Patriots head coach Bill Belichick didn't value the 2021 first-round pick all that much and wasn't concerned with his long-term development.

But the version of Jones who suited up for the Jaguars didn't look any different from his three years with the Patriots. His completion percentage was pretty much equal between New England (66.1) and Jacksonville (65.3), and the same can be said of his yards per attempt (6.8 vs. 6.4) and passer rating (85.8 vs. 80.5).

A lot of people wondered if they had misjudged Jones when he threw for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns while earning a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie. Instead, he has regressed and settled around the level where many expected him to land.

Baker Mayfield didn't make his breakthrough until his age-28 season, while Sam Darnold was a year younger during his renaissance with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. A similar arc for Jones can't be ruled out completely because he has proven himself once before.

As with New England, Jacksonville may not have been a great setting to aid in his growth, either, after going 4-13 and eventually firing head coach Pederson. In the case of Mayfield and Darnold, things didn't click until they were on their fourth team.

If nothing else, Jones gives the 49ers a reasonably high floor.

Calling a quarterback a good backup feels like damning with faint praise. Nobody aspires to play in the NFL with the goal of being a backup.

But finding a good backup quarterback in the NFL is much easier said than done. Look at who were some of the various understudies for teams last year.

In Jones, San Francisco has a good contingency plan should Purdy be sidelined.