Mac Jones addresses season with 49ers, future aspirations

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones has become the subject of trade rumors due to his performances while serving as San Francisco's temporary starter during the 2025 season. 

While speaking with reporters on Monday, Jones indicated he would like an opportunity to compete for a starting job later this year. 

Mac Jones believes he can be a full-time NFL starter

"It was just so fun to get, as I say, the train back on the tracks, and that's what I wanted to do," Jones said about his 2025 season, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "I put a lot of good film out there...Had a lot of fun and excited for what's next. And I don't know, I'm on a two-year deal, but I do believe I'm a starter in this league and I'm excited for continuing to get better this offseason and see what happens."

A 2021 first-round draft pick, Jones lost five of seven starts for the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2024 campaign before he inked an inexpensive two-year deal with the 49ers last offseason. Under head coach Kyle Shanahan, Jones went 5-3 across eight starts for the 2025 49ers when QB1 Brock Purdy was out of action due to a lingering toe issue. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Jones ended the regular season ranked 10th in the NFL among qualified players with a 62.9 adjusted QBR and 13th with a 97.4 passer rating. Over 11 total appearances, he tossed 13 touchdown passes and six interceptions.

Being with 49ers helped Mac Jones remember how to be a winner

"I think when I signed here, and talking to Kyle, that was part of the goal, was to just get back on track, have fun and get around winners again," Jones added about what may go down as the only season of his San Francisco tenure, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "And I feel like that's helped me so much. I love everybody here, and it was exciting this year. I felt like every time I came into work, it wasn't work. We're having fun in the quarterback room, in the offensive meeting, on the practice fields."

Jones shared that he "got a PhD in football" thanks to working with Shanahan and others associated with the 49ers. It remains to be seen if those experiences will result in a quarterback-needy team taking a flier on Jones.