Mac Jones: Everything you need to know

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects Jones to be with the 49ers for 2026, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports. General manager John Lynch also praised Jones but didn't comment on expectations for next season. Jones went 5-3 as a starter while completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 7.4 YPA, giving the 49ers a fantastic return on their investment in the first season of a two-year, $8.4 million contract. He probably won't be content to return to San Francisco as an underpaid backup, but his contract does give the team some leverage in discussions about a trade or raise.

Jones finished the regular season completing 70 percent of his pass attempts for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions across 11 games. All of Jones' passing production came in eight spot-starts spanning Weeks 2-11 while 49ers starter Brock Purdy recovered from a turf toe injury. The 26-year-old Jones thrived under head coach Kyle Shanahan in 2025, finishing with the highest completion rate (70 percent) and average attempt distance (7.4 YPA) of his career. Despite the backup's improved play, the coaching staff was steadfast in naming Purdy the starter once he was healthy enough to suit up. Jones remains under contract with San Francisco for the 2026 season, when he'll likely serve as one of the league's best insurance policies under center. The 2021 first-round pick won't have any value in fantasy drafts -- barring a catastrophic injury to Purdy this postseason -- but Jones' improved play makes him a reliable option to stream if he is asked to start at any point next year.

Jones will return to a backup role with teammate Brock Purdy (toe) cleared to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Jones won five of eight starts, completing 69.6 percent of passes for 7.4 YPA, with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He didn't offer much on the ground -- 64 yards, no TDs -- and was thus merely adequate for fantasy, but his steady hand helped RB Christian McCaffrey put up points in bunches. Jones is signed through 2026, which means the 49ers may field trade calls this offseason from QB-needy teams.