Mac Jones now is the subject of football lectures.
In his self-titled podcast, Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin discussed the 49ers’ current quarterback situation as a way to serve a valuable lesson to Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
“I don’t want to go off script here, but this made me think of my nephew Shedeur Sanders,” Irvin said on the “Michael Irvin Podcast” on Friday. “And I’m saying all of us are talking about all of the situations going on with Shedeur.”
Earlier this week, the Browns made a change at the quarterback position, naming rookie Dillon Gabriel as the starting quarterback. The decision comes after veteran quarterback Joe Flacco struggled through the first four games in a 1-3 start to the 2025 NFL season.
Amid veteran Flacco’s demotion, Sanders remains the No. 3 quarterback despite completing 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns in two games during the preseason.
The 23-year-old, who had plenty of expectations prior to the 2025 NFL Draft, will have to wait for his shot at QB1, but Irvin thinks it’s for the best.
“The truth about it [is] this might be a sneaky blessing to have some time to learn and have some time and not have the pressure on him,” Irvin added. “What I see across the board with young quarterbacks in this league: they are being destroyed early on, asked to play as a rookie, starting as a rookie and getting in there right away.”
Ultimately, Irvin wants Sanders to consider how Jones, who entered the league with high expectations, has managed to turn his career around since being drafted by the New England Patriots as the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
“Everything is going so fast; it messes with your head, it messes with your mind and, most importantly, it messes with your confidence,” Irving concluded. “I saw a different Mac Jones with the 49ers than I saw with the Patriots.”
Irvin makes a great point, Sanders.
Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast