Mac Jones’ NFL career hasn’t gone the way he’d hoped. Not even close.
The 2021 first-round pick flamed out in New England after three turbulent seasons with the Patriots. Largely impressive as a rookie in 2021, Jones regressed under terrible offensive coaching in 2022 and was unplayable the next season. He was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last offseason and wound up starting seven games in relief of an injured Trevor Lawrence.
Now with the San Francisco 49ers, Jones is hoping his past failures can lead to future successes.
“I think, for me, just acknowledging what I could have done better,” Jones told reporters last week.
“I’m 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.”
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Jones still has faith that he’ll get his career back on track.
“I think, at some point, those are going to help me,” he said. “They have helped me, whether that’s here in practice or maybe in a game in the future. That’s what I’m looking forward to. You may not think about a specific instance.
“But that’ll make you stronger in the long run. I’m putting my new foot forward and trying to learn from a great organization.”
Jones currently projects as Brock Purdy’s top backup. If he somehow gets another opportunity to play meaningful snaps, he had better take advantage of it.