Michael McCorkle "Mac" Jones (born September 5, 1998) is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL)[1]. He was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, into a family with a strong athletic background—his father played collegiate tennis, and both his siblings competed in college sports[1]. Jones attended The Bolles School, where he excelled as a high school quarterback, leading his team to a Florida 4A state championship as a senior[1].
Jones played college football at the University of Alabama, where he had a breakout junior season in 2020. That year, he set NCAA single-season records for passer rating and completion percentage, guiding the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship victory[1]. His performance earned him several prestigious awards, including the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Davey O'Brien, and Manning awards[1]. Jones was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round (15th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft[4].
As a rookie with the Patriots, Jones led the team to a playoff berth and earned Pro Bowl honors, showing promise as a franchise quarterback[1]. However, his production declined over the next two seasons amid coaching changes and offensive struggles, and he eventually lost his starting role in 2023[3]. After the 2023 season, Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars and later signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2025[1].
In the 2025 NFL season, Jones has seen increased playing time due to injuries to the 49ers' primary quarterback, Brock Purdy. He has started multiple games, most recently playing through knee and oblique injuries, and posted a career-high 347 passing yards in one contest, though turnovers remain a concern[5][7]. While Purdy is expected to reclaim the starting role upon his return, Jones has demonstrated resilience and readiness as a backup, keeping himself relevant in a competitive quarterback market[5].
Jones' career has been marked by early collegiate success, a promising NFL start, subsequent challenges, and a recent opportunity to revitalize his professional trajectory with a new team[1][3][5]. His story reflects both the volatility and opportunity inherent in NFL quarterback careers.