QB Mac Jones Press Conference

QB Mac Jones

Press Conference – June 4, 2025

San Francisco 49ers

Obviously the 2021 Draft lead up there was so much talk here about the possibility of you being a 49er. How do you look back on that time and where was your mind at that point?

“It’s honestly just crazy to think that I’m going into my fifth year and time flies. So going into the Draft seems like a long time ago, and I got a chance to meet with a lot of great coaches during that process, this place being one of them. And obviously the world works in mysterious ways, so I’m glad to be back here and learning from a great group of guys, and that’s players and coaches. So, you go where you go in the Draft, right? You don’t get a lot of choice over that, but I’m definitely excited to be here now.”

Why is this a good system for you?

“I think when you go through your first free agency, that’s the first time you get to pick where you want to play. And obviously this was a really enticing place for me seeing the production that the quarterbacks put out throughout the years in [head coach Kyle Shanahan] Kyle’s offense. Obviously watching [QB] Brock [Purdy] from afar and being a fan from afar, just the way he plays the game, very precise, very on time, cerebral. So it’s all those things that I’ve done at some points in my career and I just want to get more consistent at that. So being here and learning from him and the coaches, not just Kyle, but everybody, all the coaches, I think it’s going to really benefit me just get me back playing how I know I can play and that’s to be ready when I get in there.”

Did you and Kyle ever have to put whatever happened in 2021 behind you? Did you ever address that before you decided to come here?

“Yeah, we got in a huge fight. I’m just kidding. [Laughter]. We were cool. Kyle and I texted a little bit and once again, I always love watching their tape. When you look at stats around the league, they’re always in the top-five, you see the little San Francisco logo. So I always love watching what Kyle did throughout the years and to finally get in and learn it, it’s been a little bit challenging, but also a great challenge because it’s things, some things I’ve done and some things I haven’t done at all. And that’s interesting being in my fifth year in the league learning different footwork and timing and how he sees the game. So it’s all going to come together here and I’m really excited to, like I said, learn from Brock and he does a great job just following his rules and sticking to the program.”

Did you have a previous relationship with Brock? Did you know him before this year?

“Yeah. He came to Alabama on an official visit one of those years and we got to hang out, eat dinner and then go back and play video games at my apartment. So we always talk about that and how crazy the world works. I mean, his story is so cool to me. Just going where he went in the Draft and then just working his butt off and getting what he deserves, I think that’s something that anybody can look at and be like, ‘Wow, that was impressive.’ His will to do everything the right way is something that stuck out to me. And like I said, I’m looking forward to working with him. We’re obviously early in this working relationship, but everything’s been going really smooth.”

Did you work with him in Jacksonville too?

“Yeah, we had a little bit of connection there, throwing in the offseason. He’s down there with a couple other quarterbacks, so it’s been good.”

What is it about Kyle’s system that’s so quarterback friendly?

“I think that’s definitely a loaded question. I think they do a great job explaining what the expectation of each play is and why they’re doing a certain play. And there’s nothing left up to doubt, if that makes sense. And everything’s based on timing and rhythm and also playing off structure. So, it has all three elements of quarterback play. And yeah, it’s really interesting to watch it and see how they see the game because it is the correct way to see it. And as you can tell, the quarterback play is very efficient.”

During that official visit was there anything about Brock that stood out to you that you still see in him today?

“Yeah, I think he’s just a cool laid-back dude and like I said, hard worker. Obviously, he didn’t end up coming to Alabama but played really well in college. I came in the Draft in 2021 and he’s still in college and then he came out and did a great job just earning his respect in the league. So, I have a lot of respect for him. And I know he’s really hungry just being in the room with him. I’ve been fortunate to be around some good quarterbacks and to see him still hungry and working every day. He’s a perfectionist. We both are. So, it’s kind of fun to have those little battles and things like that.”

Quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi was saying that he was the wide receivers coach when you were a rookie in New England. Now he’s running your room. What’s it like to have somebody that you have sort of a connection with when you got here?

“Yeah, for sure. I think it is interesting. We’re kind of in similar boats where it didn’t work out in the previous spot and now we’re here trying to get better and learn from a great system. Mick and I obviously go back, he worked with the receivers and stuff, but there’s always little lingos and sayings that we have that go back to those times. But he’s done a great job and I wasn’t with him in the quarterback room previously, obviously he had some experience in Vegas with that. So he’s done a great job keeps it fun, really high energy guy. I love that about Mick. He’s the same guy every day and he really just wants all of us to get better. So, if we have to go in the game, we’ll play really well as a 49er.”

What’s it been like to work with him directly in the quarterback from so far, just early returns?

“It’s been great. Obviously, when I first was deciding to come here, that was a familiar face that I knew and just talking with him, he knows kind of how I learned football. So it is interesting and obviously we’re both trying to continue to learn this system and he’s done a great job just keeping it simple with me and Brock and [QB] Tanner [Mordecai] and everybody. So, I really appreciate him. I’m looking forward to watching him continue to coach us hard. I think he does it in a way that’s, he coaches you really hard, but it’s not like yelling at you and bashing you down. He’s going to lift you up and say, ‘Hey, this is what we need to do better, let’s get it done.’ So, I really appreciate that about him.”

Watching Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Donald’s path and how he was here for a year and then had success in Minnesota, was that something that you watched and enticed you more to come to the 49ers?

“For sure. Yeah, like I said, multiple quarterbacks have played in the system really well and that’s the enticing part about it. And obviously I’m going to be my own person and my goal is to be ready when I have to play or if that comes up and that’s all you can do is put your best foot forward every day, learn from every rep you get and every rep you don’t get being back there watching Brock like I talked about. I’ve had a good OTAs so far and just have to continue to build on that.”

Being that you guys haven’t been together long, I’m just interested to know what’s the coolest conversation, maybe the most memorable conversation that you’ve had in the locker room with the guys since becoming a Niner?

“To be honest, I probably wouldn’t get into any crazy details, but I do think it is cool, and that’s a good question because for the young guys on the team, and I’ve talked to some of them about it, and I’m getting up there a little bit, but I’m still young in my mind and to be able to learn from some of the players that they have in front of them is like an opportunity that I would never pass up. And for me, I’m asking questions every day, and for the rookies and second-year guys, they should be doing the same because you’ve got All Pro players in front of you, like the [TE George] Kittles of the world, and everybody. So, each room has a guy that’s legit. And it’s a really good time to ask questions and just watch them and see how they move and see how they do everything. And that’s the best way to learn in this league. When you have that, I feel like that’s when success happens.”

You had a pretty unique career. You took over for former NFL QB Tom Brady, you played for former NFL head coach Bill Belichick, you played for former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. What did you take away from Saban and from Belichick that you utilize today?

“I think I obviously learned a lot. Been fortunate to play for some great head coaches, including my high school coach as well, he was a Hall-of-Fame coach in Florida, but with coach Saban and coach Belichick, I’ve learned a lot from them. Just watching, not playing, really is when I started at Alabama, not playing at all, I was third string and just trying to learn something and taking notes every day. But coach Saban is just so attention to detail oriented and that’s something that I’ll take with me forever, and that’s the type of person I am. So, I’m excited to learn from the guys here because I feel like they’re that way as well. And I see a lot of similarities in the way the programs are run. So, I’m excited to try and do everything they asked me to do correctly, the way they want it done and almost be like a rookie in that sense where I’m learning everything I can and trying to apply it to the field. And obviously remembering my past but also moving forward into a new system.”

You’re immersing yourself into this system as much as you can, as fast as you can. Where do you think you are right now?

“I think it’s been good. Today was a little bit shaky for me, but that’s how practice goes. My goal has been, like I said, every attempt should be committed to the throw. Mick’s talked to me about that, where if it’s supposed to go to that guy, go in there and rip it and live with the result and that’s all you can do. And this playbook is based on footwork and timing, like I talked about. So just continue to grow in that aspect. And obviously you’re kind of drinking from a water hose a little bit. But I’ve also played in a lot of different offenses and this has been a great experience for me so far and I’m looking forward to finishing strong and then really getting into those 30 days that we have between the season and kind of go back and, ‘alright, this is what I did well, this is what I didn’t do well. How can I get more reps on air with my footwork and my timing?’ And then be ready to go for the preseason.

You mentioned you don’t want to look back too often, but how much have you spent, like looking back at your first couple stops here, maybe what didn’t go well, what did go well, and just kind of how it can help you get better moving forward?
“Yeah, for sure. I think just for me, just acknowledging what I could have done better, always looking inward and obviously learning from some great people along the way and then taking those scars and kind of brushing them off and using them as power because I think at some point those are going to help me and they have helped me, whether that’s here or in practice or maybe in a game in the future. That’s what I’m looking forward to is you may not think about a specific instance, but that’ll make you stronger in the long run. And like I said, I’m putting my new foot forward and trying to learn from a great organization.”

Were there specific themes or things that you saw, like there was a fundamental that was off or just things that maybe didn’t go the way you expected them to?
“Yeah, of course. That’s all part of football. And like I said, my goal is to really just have great attempts like, you know, is the ball supposed to go there? And if it is, then let it fly and be committed to it. Sometimes when you watch my film, maybe it is like a, it wasn’t a full commitment throw and I want to get better at that, and I have when I’ve been out there. And that’s the whole point of football is to try those throws, learn from them, and then when you get to the game you can say, ‘Hey, I can do this,’ or ‘I’m going to check this one down, you know, I’m trying to protect the ball.’ So, I’ve learned the hard way in a way, but I also am going to focus on myself and the guys around me.”