Overview
- 49ers tight end George Kittle publicly called Mac Jones the team's 'glue guy' on Thursday and Jones responded on X with a joking offer to pay Kittle's PR retainer.
- Jones stepped in for Brock Purdy in 2025 and went 5-3 as a starter while throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
- San Francisco declined to trade Jones during the offseason, added roughly $300,000 in roster and incentive money to his contract after the draft, and appears set to carry him as Purdy's primary backup for 2026.
- Jones briefly missed organized team activities this month with shoulder soreness but team reports and the player expect he will be ready for training camp.
- League interest in Jones last year was strong but evaluators see much of his success tied to the 49ers' system and the team would likely need an overpay or a starter loss elsewhere to consider trading him before he reaches free agency after the 2026 season.