Mac Jones Drops Revealing Insight: What He’s Doing Now to Seize His Next Big NFL Opportunity

Kyle Shanahan helped Sam Darnold rejuvenate his career. Mac Jones is hoping the 49ers coach can do the same for him.

“So, I’m working hard. They’re working hard, and my goal is to be ready to play when I have to go in, and that’s all you can ask for.”“I’ve obviously learned a lot in my past [from Bill Belichick] about the defensive side of the ball, but to learn more about offense and defense together has been a big benefit so far,” Jones said.Jones said Shanahan already has rubbed off on him in the short time they’ve been together.Jones, who has started 49 games in his career, signed a two-year deal with the 49ers this offseason and will back up Brock Purdy.After the Patriots selected Jones with the 15th overall pick in 2021, he won 10 games, threw 22 touchdown passes and earned Pro Bowl honors. In the three seasons since then — two more with the Patriots and one with the Jaguars — Jones is 10-22 as a starter with 32 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.

“Just continue to grow as a player and a person and a teammate,” Jones told Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I know it’s going to take care of itself, the way I work. And they’ve rubbed off on me, too.Kyle Shanahan has this uncanny knack for breathing new life into quarterbacks many have written off — just ask Sam Darnold. Now, Mac Jones is stepping into San Francisco’s vibrant yet unforgiving spotlight, hoping to catch some of that magic for himself. After signing a two-year deal to back up Brock Purdy, Jones isn’t just biding his time; he’s laser-focused on evolving—not only as a player but as a teammate and a person. Remember, this is a guy who burst onto the scene with the Patriots, clinching Pro Bowl honors, but recent seasons have been a rollercoaster, marred by more losses and interceptions than anyone expected. Still, with Shanahan’s influence already seeping in—mixing lessons from his defensive past under Belichick with fresh offensive insights—Jones aims to be primed and ready whenever called upon. It’s a gritty, real chance at redemption, and trust me, it’s one worth watching. LEARN MORE