Mac Jones’ Salary With The Jaguars (Image Credit: Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers might be preparing to make Brock Purdy the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history, but that isn’t stopping Mac Jones from eyeing the starting role. The former first-round pick is joining the 49ers with a competitive mindset, believing he can challenge Purdy for the top spot under center.

During an episode of Pro Football Talk Live, Mike Florio emphasized that Jones isn’t coming to San Francisco to play second fiddle. “I’ve heard enough from Mac Jones over the years, and I’ve seen enough. He’s not going to go in there and bow down to Brock Purdy,” Florio said. “He’s going to go in there with the mindset of, ‘I can win this job.’”

Mac Jones Ready To Compete, But Is It Realistic?

QB Brock Purdy (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Jones’ confidence isn’t surprising, given his pedigree as the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He enters a system tailored for quarterback success under head coach Kyle Shanahan. If he quickly grasps the 49ers’ offensive scheme, Jones believes he has the talent to take over. However, not everyone sees this as a legitimate competition.

NBC Sports Boston’s Michael Holley pushed back on the idea of Jones dethroning Purdy, citing the quarterback’s inconsistent track record. “If you talk football with Mac Jones, you love it,” Holley said. “He is an impressive football mind when he’s talking, but when he plays, it’s not pretty. He just does things that are head-scratching, and he will drive Kyle Shanahan crazy.”

Mac Jones’ NFL journey has already taken unexpected turns. Once viewed as the Patriots’ next franchise quarterback, he joins the 49ers after a brief stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His situation mirrors that of other 2021 draft classmates like Zach Wilson and Trey Lance, who are both now backups after high draft selections.