It took nearly five years, but we finally received the answer to the question that was never completely answered after the 2021 NFL Draft.
Kyle Shanahan wanted Mac Jones in San Francisco.
The veteran confirmed Shanahan’s desires to draft the Alabama product during an appearance on the “Monday Mornings with Mitch” podcast.
“Kyle and I, we just have a great relationship, and he wanted me to be here with him when I was coming out of the draft,” Jones said. “Obviously, it went in different ways, but that’s what it’s all about — reconnecting with people that either see value in you or whatnot.”
Shanahan eventually received his wish in 2025 when the 49ers signed Jones to a two-year, $7 million contract to serve as Brock Purdy‘s backup. But those who tracked the 2021 draft — the same class that included Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and the 49ers’ eventual choice, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, in the first three picks — remember the rumblings that Shanahan preferred Jones over Lance.
Finally, we know those rumblings were accurate.
From San Francisco’s perspective, the results were fortuitous: Jones ended up proving mighty useful in 2025, filling in for an injured Purdy and keeping the 49ers in the playoff race by performing remarkably well in his eight starts, winning five of them and enjoying enough success to make him a valued trade target entering 2026.
“Just hearing the stories about Kyle and how he sees the run game and the pass game and running the team meetings, and it was just interesting. And finally, I got to see it this year, and that was just awesome,” Jones said.