Mac Jones Bio
Michael McCorkle “Mac” Jones is an American professional football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He rose to national attention at the University of Alabama, where he set NCAA season records for passer rating and completion percentage while leading the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship. After a strong rookie campaign with the New England Patriots, Jones has continued his career across multiple franchises and remains active in the league.
Early Life and Background
Michael McCorkle Jones was born on September 5, 1998, to Gordon and Holly Jones in Jacksonville, Florida. His father Gordon played tennis at Florida State University and Flagler College, while his brother Will played soccer at Mercer University and his sister Sarah Jane played tennis for the College of Charleston. Growing up in a sports-minded household, Jones also worked as a child model and actor, appearing in commercials before focusing on football.
Jones attended The Bolles School in Jacksonville, where he played high school football under head coach Corky Rogers. As a junior in 2015, he led Bolles to the state regional final, and as a senior in 2016, he guided the team to the Florida 4A title, throwing for 1,532 yards and 29 touchdowns. That senior campaign established him as one of the most productive prep quarterbacks in the state.
Path to the NFL
After originally committing to the University of Kentucky, Jones accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Alabama to play for the Crimson Tide. He arrived as an early enrollee but was redshirted during his freshman season in 2017, and he also missed time after being suspended following a DUI citation. In 2018, Jones appeared in 14 games mostly as a holder on special teams, and he added his name to the Alabama record book with a 94-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle, the second-longest in school history.
Jones served as the starting quarterback near the end of the 2019 season after Tua Tagovailoa suffered a severe hip injury, making four starts and leading Alabama to victories over Arkansas and Western Carolina before falling to Auburn in the Iron Bowl. He closed that season with a strong Citrus Bowl performance against Michigan. During his sophomore year, Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a 4.00 GPA, and after the commencement ceremony he announced he would return to Alabama as a graduate student.
Mac Jones Career
Alabama Crimson Tide (2017-2020)
With Tagovailoa departing for the 2020 NFL draft, Jones took over as Alabama’s starting quarterback and produced one of the most decorated seasons in college football history. He threw for 417 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Georgia, and he added big performances against Mississippi State, Auburn, LSU, and Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama went 11-0 in a schedule featuring only in-conference opponents due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately won the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship with a 52-24 victory over Ohio State, where Jones threw five touchdowns.
He finished the 2020 season with 4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and four interceptions, while his 203.1 passer rating and 77.4 completion percentage were both NCAA season records. Jones received the Davey O’Brien Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and the Manning Award, and he finished third for the Heisman Trophy behind teammate DeVonta Smith. He also earned Consensus All-American honors, First-team All-SEC recognition, and Academic All-American of the Year honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America in both Division I football and all Division I sports.
New England Patriots (2021-2023)
One of the top quarterback prospects of the 2021 NFL draft, Jones was selected 15th overall by the New England Patriots after the San Francisco 49ers drafted Trey Lance. He signed his four-year rookie contract worth $15.6 million fully guaranteed on July 6, 2021, and he beat out incumbent starter Cam Newton to win the starting job. Jones became New England’s first rookie quarterback to start a season opener since Drew Bledsoe in 1993.
His rookie year was historic. Jones completed 29-of-39 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown in his debut against the Miami Dolphins, setting the NFL completion percentage record for a debuting rookie at 74.4. He earned his first win in Week 2 against the New York Jets and later posted 19 consecutive completions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tying the franchise record set by Tom Brady in 2015. He became the first Patriots quarterback other than Brady to clinch a postseason berth since 1998 and finished with 3,801 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and a 67.6 completion percentage, the highest among rookie quarterbacks in 2021. For his performance, Jones was named to the 2021 PFWA All-Rookie Team, finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Ja’Marr Chase, and was selected as an alternate to the 2022 Pro Bowl, becoming the franchise’s first rookie quarterback to receive Pro Bowl honors.
The 2022 and 2023 seasons proved far more difficult. Following the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Jones struggled under a new offense led by Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, and injuries and inconsistency cost him his starting role multiple times. Across his final two Patriots seasons, he threw 24 touchdowns against 23 interceptions, and he was benched for Bailey Zappe on several occasions before being benched for the remainder of the 2023 season. He finished his Patriots tenure with 8,918 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions across three seasons.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick used on Joe Milton. The Jaguars declined the fifth-year option on his contract, making him a free agent after the 2024 season. Following an injury to Trevor Lawrence in Week 9, Jones was made the starter for Weeks 10 and 11, losing both starts, before eventually taking over the starting role for the rest of the year. He earned his first win as a Jaguar in a 10-6 road victory against the Tennessee Titans.
Jones finished the 2024 season with 1,672 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions, along with 28 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown in 10 games and seven starts. His Jacksonville tenure offered a fresh start, but the Jaguars opted not to retain him long term.
San Francisco 49ers (2025-Present)
On March 14, 2025, Jones signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He opened the season as the backup to Brock Purdy but was named the starter for the Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints after Purdy was ruled out with left shoulder and toe injuries. Jones finished that 26-21 road victory completing 26-of-39 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns. He continued to start the following week, leading the 49ers to a narrow 16-15 victory over the Arizona Cardinals with 27 completions on 41 attempts for 284 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
In Week 5, Jones threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-23 overtime road victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, prompting voices within the 49ers organization to call for him to be named the full-time starter. Although Jones dismissed those calls, citing his backup role, he continued to start and produced strong passing totals against the Buccaneers, Falcons, Texans, Giants, and Rams through Week 9. His accurate passing and steady decision-making gave San Francisco reliable quarterback play during Purdy’s absence.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones is widely regarded as a high-efficiency, rhythm-based passer who excels in structured offenses. His accuracy from the pocket, particularly on timing routes and intermediate throws, has been the foundation of his game since his Alabama days. He reads defenses quickly, delivers the ball with anticipation, and his high completion percentage reflects consistent mechanics and poise under pressure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jones’s defining moments include setting NCAA season records for passer rating and completion percentage in 2020, winning the College Football Playoff National Championship, and earning Pro Bowl and PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2021. He also set the NFL completion percentage record for a debuting rookie and tied Tom Brady’s franchise record of 19 consecutive completions during his first season.
Mac Jones Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Jones has produced multiple signature victories, including a Wild Card playoff appearance with the Patriots, a 10-6 win over the Titans as a Jaguar, and three consecutive victories as the 49ers’ fill-in starter in 2025. His career win totals include regular-season and postseason victories earned through precise passing and late-game comebacks.
Patriots Highlights
With New England, Jones led a seven-game winning streak during his rookie season, the longest of his career. He earned his first win in Week 2 against the New York Jets, then guided the Patriots to a 54-13 rout of the Jets later that year while throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns. He also delivered his first fourth-quarter comeback against the Houston Texans, rallying New England from a 22-9 deficit to win 25-22.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside New England, Jones earned his first victory as a Jacksonville Jaguar in a 10-6 road win over the Tennessee Titans in 2024. In 2025, his 49ers wins included the Week 2 road victory over the Saints, a narrow Week 3 win against the Cardinals, a 26-23 overtime win over the Rams, a 20-10 victory over the Falcons, and a 34-24 road win over the Giants.
Mac Jones Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Jones comes from a deeply athletic family. His father Gordon played tennis at Florida State University and Flagler College, his brother Will played soccer at Mercer University, and his sister Sarah Jane played tennis for the College of Charleston. That multi-sport environment helped shape Jones’s competitive approach and early love of athletics.
Personal Life
Jones was nicknamed “the Joker” in college for his habit of laughing with his mouth open and bringing lighthearted energy to the locker room. In August 2021, he signed an endorsement deal with NoBull, a Boston-based company that makes athletic shoes and apparel. He continues to live a relatively private personal life focused on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Jones’s 2025 campaign has already exceeded expectations after he signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the 49ers in March. Stepping in for an injured Brock Purdy, he won his first three starts and provided steady, high-completion passing that kept San Francisco’s offense on schedule. His overtime victory over the Rams on Thursday Night Football highlighted his poise in prime-time settings.
Even after Purdy’s potential return, Jones has remained a key part of the 49ers’ quarterback picture, posting multiple 300-yard passing games and demonstrating accuracy that has consistently ranked among the league’s best. His leadership during Purdy’s absence has cemented his value as a reliable NFL starter.
Looking ahead, Jones is positioned to compete for the full-time starting role or serve as a high-end backup, depending on Purdy’s health. His efficient passing style, postseason experience, and proven ability to manage close games give San Francisco a dependable option under center for the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond.