SANTA CLARA — Mac Jones got here to the 49ers to again up Brock Purdy after washing out in each New England and Jacksonville, working his hardest to be prepared when known as upon.
It occurred earlier than anybody imagined when Purdy got here out of a season-opening 17-13 win over Seattle with toe and left shoulder accidents, which might sideline him for a number of video games.
If that’s not sufficient to fret 49ers followers, quarterback Adrian Martinez will probably be promoted from the follow squad because the backup and he’s been with the staff all of two weeks.
“It’s the front side of the season here, and I feel prepared,” Jones mentioned Friday. “I’ve been working for this and fortunate to have started, I think this is my 50th game in the NFL, so I have my routine down, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Jones will begin Sunday’s recreation in New Orleans towards the Saints (10 a.m., PST, Fox). If there’s any concern about whether or not Jones is as much as the duty, it’s been effectively hidden. Teammates have lauded each his talent set and talent to rapidly adapt to educate Kyle Shanahan’s system in addition to his presence within the locker room.
After beginning out main the Patriots to a playoff berth as a rookie to being a backup for a poor Jacksonville staff in his fourth season, Jones has loads of experiences each good and unhealthy to attract from.
“I’ve been fortunate to play in a lot of different roles, and your job as a quarterback is to either hand it off or throw it and that’s how simple I’m going to keep it,” Jones mentioned. “That’s when I play my best, when I have a low pulse and just go out there and go through my reads and have that intensity and focus. You’ve got to be ready to play and have a system that works for you.”
Shanahan mentioned he noticed the identical factor from Jones he’s seen each week since he signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the 49ers.
“It’s been awesome,” Shanahan mentioned. “The same this week as he has been all camp. Our team really believes in him, our team really enjoys him and he did a hell of a job this week in practice.”
Whereas Purdy’s persona is extra laid again and critical, Jones, against this, is buoyant and fast with a joke amongst teammates.
“I definitely think that’s part of my personality, and I play to have fun and try to win,” Jones mentioned. “It’s hard when you’re in the NFL and it’s your job, but winning is fun, and I understand that. I want to go out there and be loose.”
Proper deal with Colton McKivitz instantly picked up on Jones’ penchant for being light-hearted.
“That’s one cool thing about him, even in the huddle, he’ll still laugh and crack a joke, but when it’s game time, he locks in and commands the huddle,” McKivitz mentioned. “He likes to have fun but he’s a winner. He’s proven that at Alabama and obviously now that we’ve got him, he’s going to want to show some stuff on Sunday. ”
Common supervisor John Lynch believes Jones has slot in completely with the staff and training employees.
Quarterback Mac Jones has received over teammates along with his humorousness in addition to his capacity to run the offense. Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group
“What I can tell you is it’s probably better than advertised, better than what we thought he would be in terms of stepping in and just feeling like he was a real good fit for this offense,” Lynch mentioned on KNBR-680.
Jones has already meshed along with his teammates, and likewise has friendships on the roster from faculty (Brian Robinson Jr. performed with him at Alabama), New England (extensive receiver Kendrick Bourne) and Jacksonville (tight finish Luke Farrell).
“I’ve know him since I was 17 years old,” Robinson mentioned. “We were kind of in the same situation early in our career, second- and third-stringers. We weren’t playing much at the time. We had to work our way up to those spots and we constantly developed. I’ve watched his whole process all the way up to this point and have no doubt he’s ready for this opportunity.”
At Alabama, Jones handed for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in main the Crimson Tide to a nationwide championship.
Chosen with the No. 15 decide within the first spherical in 2021, in the identical draft the 49ers traded up and took Trey Lance No. 3, Jones was named the starter by Invoice Belichick and led the Patriots to a 10-7 document and a Wild Card playoff berth.
It turned out to be the height of his New England expertise, and one which Bourne noticed up shut after signing with New England in free company.
“Mac helped me when I transitioned over there,” Bourne mentioned. “It was his rookie year and I had one of my best years. But things go how they go. Every year is different. Some are good, some are bad. We both kind of fell victim to certain situations and things not going the way we planned. He kind of took it on the chin, and just to see him here and the joy he has is great.”
Delighted to be in a spot the place he can “get back on track,” Jones discovered himself on the sphere the opposite day with each Bourne and quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi, who was a New England assistant.
“Mick’s like, `Who would’ve thought we would all be be standing here on a Thursday afternoon — me, Kendrick and Mick,” Jones mentioned. “Kind of crazy.”
Martinez, 25, performed at Nebraska, Kansas State and most just lately for the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, profitable the league Most Worthwhile Participant award and main his staff to a championship.
If Martinez is nervous or intimidated on the considered taking on ought to one thing occur to Jones, it’s not obvious.
“You come in, you learn the offense, you put in time, and I wouldn’t say it’s been any different than any of the other processes I’ve taken,” Martinez mentioned. “I’m very confident. I think that’s part of my job, whether you’re a starter, second string or practice squad.”
Martinez spent the Seattle recreation with an ear piece the place he might hear communication between Shanahan and Purdy and study the play-calling rhythm and recreation tempo.
Shanahan conceded he’d should make some changes to his play-calling ought to Martinez be wanted.
“He’s prepared for it all, but I’ll have an idea of the stuff he likes more than others,” Shanahan mentioned. “I mean, he’s been here two weeks. You don’t tell a guy, `Hey, just take these 10 plays.’ You try to tell him to learn the whole game plan. But I always want to know what he’s more comfortable with and and hopefully we can stick with that if the game allows us to.”
Initially Printed: September 12, 2025 at 5:21 PM PDT
