Mac Jones
Mac Jones (born September 5, 1998) is an American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).[1][2] A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Jones rose to prominence during his college career at the University of Alabama, where he served as backup in 2019 before becoming the starting quarterback in 2020.[3] In 2020, his senior season, he led Alabama to an undefeated 13–0 record and a College Football Playoff National Championship victory over Ohio State, throwing for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while posting an FBS-record 77.4% completion percentage and 203.1 passer rating.[3] For his performance, Jones was named a Heisman Trophy finalist, won the Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's top quarterback, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Manning Award, and was a consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC selection.[3] Jones was selected by the New England Patriots with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, becoming the highest-drafted quarterback in franchise history since Drew Bledsoe in 1993.[1] As a rookie, he started 12 games, passing for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl selection and a second-place finish in Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, while helping the Patriots achieve a 10–7 record and an AFC wild card playoff berth.[1] Over the next two seasons with New England (2022–2023), Jones started 23 games but faced challenges with offensive line protection and coaching changes, compiling an 8–15 record as a starter with 5,117 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions.[4] He was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of the 2024 season, where he appeared in 10 games as a backup and occasional starter.[4] In March 2025, Jones signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent, providing depth behind starter Brock Purdy.[2] By October 2025, with Purdy sidelined by injury, Jones assumed the starting role, leading the 49ers to a 6–3 record in games he appeared, including a 3–0 start in his first three starts, and posting a 97.4 passer rating with 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions through 9 games as of November 18, 2025.[5] Known for his accuracy, quick release, and pocket presence—traits that defined his Alabama success—Jones has emerged as a reliable NFL veteran seeking to revitalize his career in San Francisco's high-powered offense.[1]Early years
Upbringing and family
Michael McCorkle Jones, known as Mac Jones, was born on September 5, 1998, in Jacksonville, Florida, to parents Gordon and Holly Jones.[6][1] His father, Gordon, was a standout college tennis player who competed at Florida State University before transferring to Flagler College, where he gained national recognition as Sports Illustrated's "Athlete of the Week" in 1977.[2][7] The Jones family has a strong athletic tradition, with Mac's older brother, Will, playing soccer at Mercer University, and his older sister, Sarah Jane, competing in tennis at the College of Charleston from 2014 to 2018.[2][8] Raised in Jacksonville, Jones grew up in a supportive household that emphasized sports and physical activity from an early age, fostering his passion for football through watching games and family encouragement.[9] His parents promoted a well-rounded childhood, exposing him to diverse experiences beyond athletics, which helped build his competitive drive.[9] During his elementary school years, Jones pursued modeling and acting, appearing in several commercials and participating in photoshoots and runway work as a child.[10] He later reflected on this phase as a fun diversion arranged by his parents to explore different interests, though it was short-lived compared to his athletic pursuits.[10]High school career
Mac Jones attended The Bolles School, a private preparatory academy in Jacksonville, Florida, from 2013 to 2017, where he developed as a quarterback on the varsity football team under legendary head coach Corky Rogers.[11] Influenced by his family's athletic background, including his brother and cousins' involvement in sports, Jones focused on building his skills through consistent training and participation in camps like the Elite 11.[12] As a junior in 2015, Jones took over as the starting quarterback and guided the Bulldogs to the Florida Class 4A state regional final, showcasing his poise and decision-making in high-stakes games.[12] In his senior year of 2016, he elevated his performance, passing for 1,532 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading Bolles to an undefeated regular season and appearance in the Class 4A state championship game against Cocoa High School.[13] Although the Bulldogs fell short in the title game, Jones's leadership contributed to one of the program's strongest runs, finishing with a defense that limited opponents to just 10 sacks on him all season.[14] Jones's recruitment gained momentum late in high school after initial limited attention due to his smaller stature and regional profile; he received offers from programs including East Carolina, USF, and Kentucky before flipping his commitment to Alabama on June 7, 2016.[15] Rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports—the No. 283 overall recruit, No. 12 pro-style quarterback, and No. 38 in Florida—he signed with the Crimson Tide as part of their highly touted 2017 class, drawn by the program's emphasis on quarterback development.[16]College career
Early years at Alabama (2017–2019)
Jones arrived at the University of Alabama in 2017 as a highly touted high school quarterback recruit who had flipped his commitment from South Florida to the Crimson Tide.[15] As a true freshman, he redshirted the season, preserving a year of eligibility while not appearing in any games during Alabama's national championship campaign.[17] This period allowed Jones to adjust to the rigors of college football under head coach Nick Saban, focusing on learning the offense and contributing to scout team practices.[18] In 2018, as a redshirt freshman, Jones served as the backup quarterback behind starter Tua Tagovailoa, appearing in four games primarily during blowout victories.[19] He completed 5 of 13 passes for 123 yards and 1 touchdown with no interceptions, including a 94-yard touchdown pass against Arkansas.[20] His limited snaps highlighted his role in maintaining depth at the position, while Saban emphasized Jones's preparation and mental toughness in practices, where he occasionally challenged the first-team defense on scout team duties.[21] Jones continued as Tagovailoa's primary backup in 2019, seeing increased action due to the starter's injuries, and appeared in multiple regular-season games.[19] He started three regular-season games while appearing in 11, completing 81 of 116 passes for 1,176 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, with standout performances including 18 of 22 for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns in a win over Arkansas and 26 of 39 for 335 yards and 4 touchdowns (with 2 interceptions) against Auburn. In the postseason, Jones started for Alabama in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan, completing 16 of 25 passes for 327 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 35-16 victory, efficiently distributing the ball to six different receivers.[22] Under Saban's guidance, Jones developed a strong command of the pro-style offense, honing his decision-making and accuracy through rigorous film study and competition in quarterback meetings, which positioned him as a reliable option amid Tagovailoa's hip injury.[18][23]2020 season
Jones entered the 2020 season as Alabama's starting quarterback following Tua Tagovailoa's departure to the NFL Draft, starting all 13 games for the Crimson Tide.[17] Under Jones's leadership, Alabama achieved a 13–0 record, capturing the SEC Championship with a 52–46 victory over Florida and advancing to the College Football Playoff.[24] The Crimson Tide defeated Notre Dame 31–14 in the semifinal Rose Bowl before defeating Ohio State 52–24 in the national championship game, where Jones completed 36 of 45 passes for 464 yards and 5 touchdowns with no interceptions.[25] Jones delivered an outstanding performance, passing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns against just four interceptions, while setting Alabama single-season records for passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage (77.4%). His efficiency and low turnover rate were pivotal in Alabama's high-powered offense, which averaged more than 48 points per game.[26][17] For his exceptional season, Jones won the Davey O'Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Manning Award, in addition to being named SEC Offensive Player of the Year, a Maxwell Award finalist, finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting behind winner DeVonta Smith and runner-up Trevor Lawrence, and earning consensus All-American honors.[27][28]College statistics
Mac Jones redshirted his freshman year in 2017 and did not record any statistics.[26] His college passing statistics, which include bowl and playoff games where applicable, are summarized below. These figures reflect his progression from a backup role to a starter, with a notable emergence in 2020 marked by national-leading efficiency metrics.[26][3]| Year | Games | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | Yards/Attempt | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 14 | 5 | 13 | 38.5 | 123 | 9.5 | 1 | 0 | 143.3 |
| 2019 | 12 | 97 | 141 | 68.8 | 1,503 | 10.7 | 14 | 3 | 186.8 |
| 2020 | 13 | 311 | 402 | 77.4 | 4,500 | 11.2 | 41 | 4 | 203.1 |
| Year | Games | Attempts | Yards | Yards/Attempt | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 14 | 3 | -8 | -2.7 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 16 | 36 | 2.3 | 1 |
| 2020 | 13 | 35 | 14 | 0.4 | 1 |
Professional career
New England Patriots (2021–2023)
The New England Patriots selected Mac Jones in the first round (15th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted quarterback from the University of Alabama since Jalen Hurts in 2020.[1] Following the draft, Jones signed a four-year rookie contract worth $15,586,863, fully guaranteed, on July 6, 2021. Under head coach Bill Belichick, Jones quickly won the starting job after a strong preseason, transitioning from his college success at Alabama to the NFL with guidance from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. In his 2021 rookie season, Jones started all 17 games, completing 310 of 447 passes for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 92.5.[1] The Patriots finished 10–7, clinching the AFC East division title for the first time since 2009, and Jones earned a Pro Bowl selection as an alternate for the 2022 game after several AFC quarterbacks opted out.[29] However, in the Wild Card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, Jones struggled, completing 29 of 51 passes for 176 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 47–17 defeat.[1] His debut year showcased poise in a run-heavy offense but highlighted areas for growth amid Belichick's conservative scheme. Jones's performance declined in 2022 amid significant coaching changes, as McDaniels departed for the Las Vegas Raiders and Belichick assumed play-calling duties without naming an official offensive coordinator, with line coach Matt Patricia taking a larger role in the offense.[30] Starting 14 games, he threw for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, contributing to a 6–8 record in his starts as the Patriots finished 8–9 and missed the playoffs.[1] A midseason benching in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals—where he played only five snaps before Bailey Zappe replaced him—signaled growing frustrations, though Jones returned as starter for the final three games; observers noted the lack of a dedicated offensive coordinator hindered his development and the unit's consistency.[31] The 2023 season marked further struggles for Jones, who started the first 10 games, passing for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in a Patriots offense ranked near the bottom of the league.[1] He was benched after a Week 10 interception in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, with Zappe taking over for five games, before a brief demotion to emergency third-string behind Zappe and Malik Cunningham in Week 16 amid ongoing turnover issues.[31] The team ended 4–13, Belichick's worst record in New England, and Patricia's official promotion to offensive coordinator that year drew criticism for stifling Jones's progress.[30] On March 14, 2024, the Patriots traded Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round draft pick (No. 192 overall), ending his tenure after three seasons of diminishing returns under Belichick's regime.[32]Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)
Following his trade from the New England Patriots in March 2024, Mac Jones joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as a backup quarterback to starter Trevor Lawrence, providing a fresh start in his hometown market after three challenging seasons in New England.[32][33] The Jaguars acquired Jones in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick (No. 192 overall), positioning him to learn under head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor while competing for playing time.[34] Jones appeared in 10 games during the 2024 season, starting seven due to multiple injuries to Lawrence, including a season-ending AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder sustained in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers.[35] In those starts, he threw for 1,672 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 171 of 262 passes for a passer rating of 80.5, while adding 92 rushing yards on 28 carries and one rushing touchdown.[35] The Jaguars finished the season with a 4–13 record, placing third in the AFC South and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.[36] Jones made his first regular-season start for Jacksonville in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings on November 10, 2024, following Lawrence's injury; he completed 13 of 23 passes for 87 yards and a rushing touchdown but threw two interceptions in a 12–7 loss that dropped the Jaguars to 2–8.[37] He faced ongoing challenges adapting to the Jaguars' offensive scheme under Pederson, which emphasized a balanced attack with play-action and bootlegs, often struggling with protection issues.[38] A highlight came in Week 17 on December 29, 2024, when Jones secured his first win as a starter, leading a 20–13 victory over the rival Tennessee Titans at home with efficient short passes and minimal turnovers.[39] The 2024 campaign marked the final year of Jones's four-year rookie contract, originally signed with the Patriots in 2021; the Jaguars declined his fifth-year option in May 2024, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent in March 2025.[40]San Francisco 49ers (2025–present)
On March 14, 2025, Mac Jones signed a two-year contract worth $7 million with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was brought in as the backup quarterback to Brock Purdy.[41][42] The deal reflected Jones's desire to compete in head coach Kyle Shanahan's precise, timing-based offensive scheme, building on his prior experience as a backup with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024. Jones saw limited action in the early games of the 2025 season as Purdy started despite a toe injury suffered in Week 1. However, after Purdy aggravated the injury in Week 4 and missed Weeks 5–10, Jones assumed starting duties, recording a 5–3 mark in those six starts. As of November 18, 2025, following Purdy's return in Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals, Jones had appeared in 9 games with 8 starts overall, compiling 2,151 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions for a 97.4 passer rating.[35][1] These contributions aided the 49ers' 7–4 record and positioning for a playoff run.[43] Jones has shown notable adaptation to Shanahan's system, which emphasizes quick reads and pre-snap processing, with the coaching staff highlighting his enhanced decision-making under pressure.[44][45]Career statistics
College
Mac Jones redshirted his freshman year in 2017 at the University of Alabama, recording no statistics.[26] His college statistics encompass games played from 2018 to 2020, including postseason appearances.[26]Passing Statistics
| Season | Games | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 14 | 5 | 13 | 38.5 | 123 | 1 | 0 | 143.3 |
| 2019 | 12 | 97 | 141 | 68.8 | 1,503 | 14 | 3 | 186.8 |
| 2020 | 13 | 311 | 402 | 77.4 | 4,500 | 41 | 4 | 203.1 |
| Career | 39 | 413 | 556 | 74.3 | 6,126 | 56 | 7 | 197.6 |
Postseason Passing Performances
- 2019 Citrus Bowl vs. Michigan (January 1, 2020): 16 completions on 25 attempts, 327 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 194.7 passer rating.[46][47]
- 2020 Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal) vs. Notre Dame (January 1, 2021): 25 completions on 30 attempts, 297 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 210.5 passer rating.[48][49]
- 2020 CFP National Championship vs. Ohio State (January 11, 2021): 36 completions on 45 attempts, 464 yards, 5 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 203.3 passer rating.[48][50]
Rushing Statistics
| Season | Games | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 14 | 3 | -8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 16 | 36 | 1 |
| 2020 | 13 | 35 | 14 | 1 |
| Career | 39 | 54 | 42 | 2 |
Postseason Rushing Performances
- 2019 Citrus Bowl vs. Michigan: 5 attempts, 20 yards, 0 touchdowns.[51][47]
- 2020 Rose Bowl vs. Notre Dame: 5 attempts, 12 yards, 0 touchdowns.[48]
- 2020 CFP National Championship vs. Ohio State: 4 attempts, 11 yards, 0 touchdowns.[48]
NFL regular season
Mac Jones debuted in the NFL with the New England Patriots in 2021, where his rookie season performance, including 3,801 passing yards and a 92.5 passer rating, earned him a Pro Bowl selection.[1][52] Below are his regular-season passing, rushing, and fumble statistics year by year through the 2025 season (with 2025 data current as of November 18, 2025).[1]Passing
| Year | Team | G | GS | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | INT | Y/A | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NWE | 17 | 17 | 352 | 521 | 67.6 | 3801 | 22 | 13 | 7.3 | 92.5 |
| 2022 | NWE | 14 | 14 | 288 | 442 | 65.2 | 2997 | 14 | 11 | 6.8 | 84.8 |
| 2023 | NWE | 11 | 11 | 224 | 345 | 64.9 | 2120 | 10 | 12 | 6.1 | 77.0 |
| 2024 | JAX | 10 | 7 | 171 | 262 | 65.3 | 1672 | 8 | 8 | 6.4 | 80.5 |
| 2025 | SFO | 9 | 8 | 201 | 289 | 69.6 | 2151 | 13 | 6 | 7.4 | 97.4 |
| Career | 61 | 57 | 1236 | 1859 | 66.4 | 12741 | 67 | 50 | 6.9 | 86.9 |
Rushing
| Year | Team | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NWE | 44 | 129 | 2.9 | 0 |
| 2022 | NWE | 47 | 102 | 2.2 | 1 |
| 2023 | NWE | 26 | 96 | 3.7 | 0 |
| 2024 | JAX | 28 | 92 | 3.3 | 1 |
| 2025 | SFO | 31 | 61 | 2.0 | 0 |
| Career | 176 | 480 | 2.7 | 2 |
Fumbles
| Year | Team | Fmb | FL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NWE | 7 | 6 |
| 2022 | NWE | 5 | 3 |
| 2023 | NWE | 3 | 3 |
| 2024 | JAX | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | SFO | 4 | 2 |
| Career | 21 | 15 |
NFL postseason
Jones appeared in his only NFL postseason game as a rookie with the New England Patriots, following their 10–7 regular season that earned a wild card berth. In that contest, a 47–17 wild card loss to the Buffalo Bills on January 15, 2022, he started and completed 24 of 38 passes for 232 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, posting a passer rating of 75.8.[53] He also rushed twice for 18 yards.[53] Jones has not appeared in any additional postseason games. The Jacksonville Jaguars finished 4–13 in 2024 and missed the playoffs, while the San Francisco 49ers are 7–4 as of November 18, 2025, with no postseason play yet.[36][43]Passing
| Year | Team | GP | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NWE | 1 | 24 | 38 | 63.2 | 232 | 2 | 2 | 75.8 |
| Total | 1 | 24 | 38 | 63.2 | 232 | 2 | 2 | 75.8 |
Rushing
| Year | Team | GP | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NWE | 1 | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 0 |