San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones recently opened up about the emotional and professional toll of his turbulent three-year tenure with the New England Patriots, describing the experience as leaving lasting “scars.” After a promising rookie season, Jones faced significant challenges that derailed his early NFL career, leading to a trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars and eventually a fresh start with the 49ers. In a candid reflection, Jones shared how these hardships have shaped him and his hopes to transform those scars into strength for his future in the NFL.
A Promising Start in New England
Drafted 15th overall by the Patriots in the 2021 NFL Draft, Mac Jones burst onto the scene with a stellar rookie campaign. He completed 67.6% of his passes for 3,801 yards, throwing 22 touchdowns against 13 interceptions, leading New England to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth. His performance earned him Pro Bowl honors and a runner-up finish for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Jones also set an NFL record for completion percentage by a debuting rookie at 74.4% in his first game against the Miami Dolphins and achieved 19 consecutive completions in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tying a franchise record set by Tom Brady.
Jones’ rookie success was highlighted by a seven-game winning streak, during which he completed 69.4% of his passes for 1,397 yards, nine touchdowns, and only two interceptions. He became the first NFL rookie quarterback to achieve a completion percentage over 80% in consecutive games against the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons, earning him the Offensive Rookie of the Month award for November 2021.
The Downward Spiral
Despite his early promise, Jones’ tenure with the Patriots took a sharp decline in 2022 and 2023. The regression began with poor offensive coaching in 2022, which Jones himself alluded to when praising the 49ers’ clear play-calling structure, stating, “They do a great job explaining what the expectation of each play is and why they’re doing a certain play.” This was a subtle jab at the Patriots’ lack of clarity during his time there. In 2022, Jones’ performance dipped as he threw for 2,997 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, struggling under a disjointed offensive system. By 2023, his play was described as “unplayable,” leading to him losing his starting position. He finished the season with a 2-9 record as a starter, throwing 10 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
The instability in coaching and offensive strategy, coupled with a broken relationship with head coach Bill Belichick, contributed to Jones’ struggles. Sources indicate that Jones tried to do too much to compensate for the team’s offensive failures, which ultimately cost him his role as the starter. The Patriots traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2024 offseason, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter.
A Stint in Jacksonville
Jones’ time with the Jaguars in 2024 was a mixed bag. Stepping in for an injured Trevor Lawrence, he started seven games, completing 62.7% of his passes for 1,690 yards, with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. While he showed flashes of potential, such as a Week 13 performance against the Houston Texans where he completed 20-of-32 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, his overall stint was marred by inconsistency. He finished the season strongly, completing 65% of his passes over the final two weeks with three touchdowns and one interception, achieving a 97.7 passer rating. However, the Jaguars did not retain him, and Jones entered free agency.
A New Beginning with the 49ers
In March 2025, Jones signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers, with $5 million guaranteed and the potential to earn up to $11.5 million. Now serving as a backup to Brock Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million extension, Jones is embracing the opportunity to learn from head coach Kyle Shanahan’s quarterback-friendly system. He expressed excitement about joining a “proven system” and surrounding himself with winners, stating, “I feel like there’s a lot of good people here, a lot of winners here.”
Jones has drawn comparisons to Sam Darnold, who revitalized his career as a backup with the 49ers before earning a Pro Bowl nod with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell noted that Jones’ new environment could set him up for a similar turnaround, emphasizing the 49ers’ history of rejuvenating quarterbacks. Jones himself acknowledged the influence of Shanahan’s system, praising its emphasis on “timing and rhythm” and clear expectations, a stark contrast to his experience in New England.
Turning Scars into Strength
In a heartfelt press conference, Jones reflected on the “scars” from his time with the Patriots and Jaguars, saying, “I think, for me, just acknowledging what I could have done better… taking those scars and kind of brushing them off and using them as power.” He emphasized looking inward and learning from past mistakes, expressing optimism that these experiences will make him stronger in the long run. Jones’ comments reveal a player determined to move forward, using his hardships as motivation to rebuild his career.
Jones also addressed his relationship with Shanahan, who passed on drafting him in 2021 in favor of Trey Lance. Joking about a “huge fight” that never happened, Jones clarified, “We were cool. Kyle and I texted a little bit,” and expressed admiration for the 49ers’ consistently top-five offensive rankings. His enthusiasm for learning Shanahan’s system, combined with his prior connection to Purdy from their college days, suggests a positive outlook for his time in San Francisco.
Looking Ahead
While Jones is unlikely to see significant playing time behind Purdy, his role as a backup offers a chance to reset and absorb one of the NFL’s most effective offensive systems. With 49 career starts, a 54:44 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and a wealth of experience at just 26 years old, Jones remains one of the league’s most capable backups. His journey reflects a quarterback who has endured a “nightmare” in New England but is determined to heal his scars and reclaim his potential with the 49ers.
As Jones embarks on this new chapter, his story serves as a reminder of the resilience required in the NFL. By leveraging the lessons from his past and embracing the 49ers’ winning culture, he hopes to write a redemption arc that could see him return to the promising form of his rookie year. Only time will tell if these scars will truly become his power.