San Francisco 49ers backup QB Mac Jones talk of NFL combine

For fans everywhere, the NFL combine is viewed as the premier event for college football prospects.

More than 300 of the sport’s best players show up to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to take part in drills and interviews, get poked and prodded, and ultimately alter the course of their future.

But what isn’t often revealed, the real drama at the NFL combine is behind the scenes.

While prospects are competing and being judged by the scouts for all 32 teams, head coaches and front office members are having their own competition. It’s often where the beginning stages of future trades/moves are made.

And this week in Indianapolis is no different — especially for the 49ers.

While questions about the future of star left tackle Trent Williams and his contract situation were the main topic of discussion, the background conversations surrounding backup quarterback Mac Jones have continued to heat up.

The Raiders, Jets and Cardinals are viewed as teams that need a starting quarterback for next season — although Las Vegas is almost assuredly taking Indiana QB and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.

The Dolphins, Steelers, Browns, Colts, Vikings and Falcons could also be in the market for a starting quarterback.

Miami is expected to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, while Cleveland and Minnesota are reportedly unsure about their situations regarding Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel with the Browns and J.J. McCarthy with the Vikings.

“What we do know is we need a level of baseline quarterback play for us to be effective,” Vikings executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski said.

“A lot of this has been J.J. in unfortunate (situations) with some of the injuries and things that he’s dealt with, but we’re going to explore every opportunity, and I don’t think there’s anything specifically we’re looking for. We can’t manufacture anything that’s not there. So No. 1, what are the options? Is it reciprocal? Is it financially doable? All those things. There’s just a lot of factors that go into it.”

Daniel Jones was sensational for Indianapolis but tore his Achilles and could miss the entire season. Michael Penix partially tore his ACL for Atlanta and could miss the beginning of the season.

All of that adds up to 49ers backup Jones being one hot candidate — and San Francisco holding a lot of leverage.

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When Brock Purdy went down last year, many assumed the 49ers’ season would fall off a cliff. However, Jones resurrected his career under head coach Kyle Shanahan, leading San Francisco to an 8-3 record and saving the season.

He threw for 2,151 yards and 13 touchdowns (six interceptions), completing a career-high 69.6% of his passes and posting a QBR of 62.3.

Jones, a former first-round pick of the Patriots in 2021, looked like the next great New England signal caller. He threw for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns as a rookie, being named to the Pro Bowl.

However, he struggled the next two seasons and was ultimately traded to Jacksonville in 2024, when he served as Trevor Lawrence’s backup and appeared in 10 games (seven starts), passing for 1,672 yards and eight touchdowns.

He was then released by the Jaguars and joined San Francisco, where he helped resurrect his career and proved he’s deserving of another shot as a full-time starter.

Time will tell if that happens or if he remains in the Bay Area as a backup.