Just In: 49ers Make Bold Move, Locking in a highly rated QB with a Mysterious 2-Year Deal.

Four years after nearly being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Mac Jones is finally set to join the team.

Jones has agreed to a two-year contract with the 49ers valued at $7 million, with $5 million guaranteed, according to a source who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday. The deal, which has a potential maximum worth of $11.5 million, has not yet been officially announced. The NFL Network was the first to report the agreement.

Leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones was a strong contender for San Francisco’s third overall pick after the team traded three first-round selections to move up in the draft order. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was evaluating both Jones and Trey Lance as potential franchise quarterbacks but ultimately chose Lance.

That decision did not pan out as expected. Lance struggled with injuries and had difficulty adapting to Shanahan’s offensive system. Over two seasons, he started only four games before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick in August 2023. His departure came after he lost the starting role to Brock Purdy, a seventh-round pick from the 2022 draft.

Since then, Purdy has firmly established himself as the 49ers’ starting quarterback. Jones will now step into a backup role, providing depth at the position.

Jones began his career on a high note, leading the New England Patriots to a playoff berth in his rookie season. However, after offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels departed, Jones’ performance declined in his second year. His struggles led to him losing his starting role in 2023.

In March of that year, Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He started seven games for Jacksonville, throwing eight touchdowns and eight interceptions before the team moved on from him.

Now, Jones has an opportunity to reset his career in San Francisco, backing up Purdy and working under Shanahan’s offensive system. Although he won’t be stepping in as the franchise quarterback the 49ers once considered him to be, this move gives him a fresh start with one of the league’s top teams.

With a strong roster and a proven starter in Purdy, Jones’ addition provides much-needed insurance at the quarterback position while giving him another shot to prove himself in the NFL.