Mac Jones on 49ers Contract Decision: 'Just Wanted to Surround Myself with Winners'

Veteran quarterback Mac Jones prioritized the right situation when he signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

"Going into my first free agency this year, so I really wanted to make a great pick," he said in an interview with the team's media. "Obviously this was a spot I felt comfortable. Feel like there's a lot of good people here, a lot of winners. Really just wanted to surround myself with winners."

Jones, who has played for a pair of legendary head coaches in Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, said he's excited to work with Kyle Shanahan given the head coach's reputation.

In terms of recent success, San Francisco certainly qualifies as a winning organization. Between 2019 and 2023, the franchise twice reached the Super Bowl and was an NFC title game finalist on another two occasions.

Jones is joining the 49ers at a time when their fortunes are on the wane, though. They won six games in 2024 and they've lost a number of starters from last season's squad.

It's too early to call this an outright rebuild. There are still a number of veteran leaders on the roster including quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, offensive tackle Trent Williams and edge-rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner.

However, general manager John Lynch appears to be hitting the reset button to allow for a better long-term financial outlook. San Francisco could wind up in the middle of the pack in the NFC, not much better than its 6-11 finish this past year.

Jones knows he has no path to the starting job as long as Purdy is healthy. When it comes to being on a playoff team for the second time in his career, he may have no guarantees about that, either.