Free agent quarterback Mac Jones, who wanted an opportunity to work with coach Kyle Shanahan, has agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers on a two-year deal worth $7 million with $5 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
Jones, 26, appeared in 10 games last season for the Jacksonville Jaguars, including seven starts in place of injured Trevor Lawrence. He completed 65.3% of his passes for 1,672 yards and eight touchdowns, along with eight interceptions. The Jaguars went 2-5 in his starts, averaging just 15 points per game.
Jacksonville sent a 2024 sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots last March for Jones, who grew up in Jacksonville. He beat out C.J. Beathard in training camp to be Lawrence's backup.
New England selected Jones, a former star at Alabama, with the 15th pick in the 2021 NFL draft -- the same one that saw the Jaguars take Lawrence with the first pick. Jones made the Pro Bowl as an alternate as a rookie after throwing for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns and leading the Patriots to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth.
But Jones never duplicated that success. New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left to coach the Las Vegas Raiders, and coach Bill Belichick tabbed longtime defensive coach Matt Patricia to be the offensive playcaller and longtime special teams coach Joe Judge to be the quarterbacks coach in 2022. Jones struggled to develop and was just 6-8 in 14 starts, finishing 288-of-442 passing for 2,997 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
The following season, Belichick brought back Bill O'Brien to run the offense, but Jones struggled again (224-of-345 for 2,120 yards, 10 TDs, 12 INTs) and was replaced by Bailey Zappe after 11 games.
ESPN's Michael DiRocco contributed to this report.
