The San Francisco 49ers signed Brock Purdy to a massive contract extension this offseason. However, they also signed people on offense that may help their quarterback. But, that quarterback needs a backup, and now Klay Kubiak, Kyle Shanahan‘s assistant, has shared his thoughts on a certain Mac Jones.
Mac Jones was always destined to be a 49er. However, it took longer than expected. It’s said that Kyle Shanahan wanted to draft Jones in 2021. However, they took Trey Lance in what is now an infamous bad NFL Draft move.
After that, Jones went to New England and his career has been declining ever since. While his stock is not what it used to be, Shanahan couldn’t resist the chance to bring him in, even if it’s as a backup.
Kubiak stated that Jones has “got a lot of traits that we like for a starting quarterback,” Kubiak said. “His career has kind of gone up and down a little bit the past couple years, but we saw the same things in Jacksonville that we loved about him as a college prospect, and that really excites us… I think Mac’s capable of being a starter in this league.“
Jones has some footsteps to follow
Mac Jones will be a backup and won’t compete with Brock Purdy. While he can learn from Purdy, his role model should be non other than Sam Darnold. Now the starting quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold was also Purdy’s backup two years ago after his career got derailed. He proceeded to guide the Vikings to a 14-3 record last year and now, signed a three-year, $100 million with the Seahawks. Being a backup at the Bay will do you favors.
Mac Jones can be a good system quarterback
Mac Jones’ career is not one to brag. However, he has shown glimpses of potential. Those came during his rookie year under an established system like Josh McDaniels had in the Patriots. After that, Mac Jones has been dealt a bad hand coaching-wise. Now, he has one of the NFL’s best and more QB-friendly systems to work in.
If Jones can turn his career like Darnold did, he can still have a future in the NFL. Jones will turn 27 just a few days before the NFL season starts, so he is still reasonably young for another team to take a chance on him after his contract expires.