A season led by Cam Newton as the first quarterback after Tom Brady left during the 2020 offseason led the Patriots to use their 15th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on Mac Jones, whom they believed could be their next franchise quarterback.
A mostly impressive rookie season was quickly followed by a humbling year that only continued as long as Jones remained under center in New England. It inevitably led to growing behind-the-scenes tension, and eventually, Jerod Mayo traded the quarterback after they drafted Drake Maye in 2024.
Jones then became Trevor Lawrence's backup in Jacksonville, even getting a handful of starts when he was injured. But he didn't shed the problematic traits he showed with the Patriots, making it easy for the Jaguars to move on after just one season.
He eventually joined the 49ers and has thrived as a backup when called upon, and he's now a name to watch as the Giants look to upgrade their starting role after Jaxon Dart suffered a season-ending injury on Monday Night Football this week.
Although the Giants have Jameis Winston under contract and expect him to step up in Dart's place, he didn't perform well against the Rams in Week 2, so the idea of the Giants making a trade is widely discussed, with Jones's name near the top of the list of targets.
Mac Jones could become a hot pursuit for the Giants after Jaxon Dart's injury
NFL insider Adam Schefter hinted that Jones could be on the move if the Giants make the right offer, even if the 49ers don't necessarily want to let him go.
He has clearly become a valuable asset for their roster, as he played well when Brock Purdy was injured last year, and a legitimate backup is crucial for any team. However, if the Giants are desperate enough to make an offer the 49ers can't refuse, it would be foolish for them to turn it down.
"There are some interesting candidates out there."@AdamSchefter dives into the possible QB1 pursuit by the Giants ✍️ pic.twitter.com/HtykN5iIAi
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 24, 2026
Considering his starting career looked dead as can be after his time with the Patriots and short tenure with the Jaguars, it's fascinating to see Jones as a potential top target for a quarterback-needy team.
He seems to have rebuilt his reputation since joining the 49ers; while he hasn't been a superstar, he's proven he can be relied on to win games, and the Giants are likely to be interested.
They have a solid offense for him to work with, which should make the transition easier, along with an impressive defense, even with Brian Burns sidelined for some time. Jones could bring a lot, especially if Winston doesn't make the impact they hope for ahead of the trade deadline.
More than likely, the Giants will want to see what they get with Winston before making any potentially regrettable moves, so they probably won't trade for Jones just yet.
However, the fact that he's in the conversation so quickly after Dart's absence says a lot about what he's done in his post-Patriots career.
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