The New England Patriots tried their best to find the successor to Tom Brady in 2020, and they are banking on Drake Maye being that guy. But let's not forget about the other options they had at quarterback, such as Cam Newton, Bailey Zappe, and Mac Jones, the latter of whom was a first-round pick.
Speaking of Jones, he is in line to start an NFL game not too long after his departure from the Patriots organization.
On Monday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that starting quarterback Brock Purdy is dealing with left shoulder and toe injuries. While Shanahan said that he'll see how Purdy practices this week, Jones will step in if he can't play in next Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.
Brock Purdy has a left shoulder and toe injury that make him uncertain for Sunday’s game in New Orleans. Kyle Shanahan said the team will see how the practice week goes.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2025
If Purdy cannot play, 49ers backup QB Mac Jones would be in line to start. pic.twitter.com/7ocnuD0UYI
Former Patriots bust Mac Jones potentially gets another chance to start for 49ers
If Purdy is unable to go, that means Jones will get another chance to not only earn a start, but also to prove the Patriots wrong for giving up on him.
After the 2023 season, the Patriots traded Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick. Jones was expected to be the backup, but started seven games for the Jaguars due to Trevor Lawrence suffering an AC joint sprain.
In the final eight games of the Jaguars' season (seven starts), Jones threw for 1,672 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions on a 65.3 completion percentage. In those seven starts, Jones picked up a 2-5 record, with both of those victories coming against the Tennessee Titans, who finished with the worst record in the NFL.
Jones signed on with the 49ers this offseason on a two-year, $8.4 million contract. It was a good landing spot for the former first-round pick, as Shanahan knows how to get the most out of his quarterbacks. Look at Sam Darnold. He spent the 2023 season with the 49ers, then one year later, helped lead the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins, and cashed in with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
If Purdy doesn't play next Sunday, then Jones will face off against a Saints team that is expected to finish near the bottom of league standings. But this past Sunday, the Saints defense did hold the Arizona Cardinals to just 276 yards on 61 plays. Plus, Jones will be without a top target in tight end George Kittle, who is expected to miss three-to-five weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Regardless, Jones has a chance to prove to the Patriots and the 30 other teams in the league that eh can still be a starting quarterback. But that all depends on how Purdy heals this week.