Mac Jones and Brock Purdy might have been teammates at Alabama. Now the quarterbacks are teammates with the San Francisco 49ers.
Jones hadn’t played a snap for the Crimson Tide when he served as Purdy’s host for the Perry (Arizona) High School star’s visit to Alabama.
“Him and his brother came,” Jones said, “and I was thinking about that on the way here. He came, and we just played video games in my apartment and talked about football. …
“He actually trained last offseason in Jacksonville, and we had a lot of good throwing sessions together, and he’s done a great job. He works very hard. You can tell he’s very cerebral, and I want to learn from him. You can see just being in the room with him elevates everybody. If I can help him, I’m happy to help, but at the same time, I’m here to learn.”
Purdy chose Iowa State instead of Alabama and became the starting QB for the Cyclones as a freshman in 2018. Jones was behind Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts on the depth chart at Alabama in 2018 and backed up Tagovailoa for most of 2019 before an All-American season for the Crimson Tide’s undefeated CFP national-championship team in 2020.
Jones entered the NFL as the 15th selection in the 2021 draft. He started every game as a rookie for the New England Patriots, including a postseason contest, and played in the Pro Bowl. But in his third year as the No. 1 quarterback, Jones got benched by New England with six games remaining in the season.
Last offseason, the Patriots traded Jones to his hometown NFL team, and he backed up Trevor Lawrence for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, although injuries to the former No. 1 pick allowed Jones to start seven games.
Jones changed coasts in NFL free agency for a two-year, $7 million contract from San Francisco that included $5 million in guaranteed money.
“Going into my first free agency this year, so I really wanted to make a great pick,” Jones said, “and, obviously, this was a spot I felt comfortable. I feel like there’s a lot of good people here, a lot of winners here, so I really just wanted to surround myself with winners. …
“It’s a proven system. I know Brock personally, and he’s done a great job and played really good football in the NFL, so I’ve been really watching him from afar on game film and stuff and really just want to learn from him and be a sponge. And, obviously, (coach) Kyle (Shanahan) and his resume speaks for itself. He’s done a great job in the NFL, and he always produces each year, and that’s something that I want to be around. And then, obviously, (quarterbacks coach) Mick (Lombardi), I’m familiar with from my time in New England. It’s really exciting. Really just looking forward to it.”
After four seasons at Iowa State, Purdy was the final player picked – No. 262 – in the 2022 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, injuries elevated Purdy from third-string to the lineup for the 49ers’ final five regular-season games. San Francisco won all five, then took two more in the postseason before falling in the NFC Championship Game.
The next season, Purdy earned Pro Bowl recognition and the 49ers went to the Super Bowl.
Last offseason, Jones got traded into a backup position. This offseason, he chose that situation.
“Football can take you to a lot of different places,” Jones said. “I kind of started in Alabama, went up and back down. Now I’m going across.”
Jones’ objectives for the 2025 season are “just a great energy, a great teammate. I love playing football. I love having fun and winning, so I know there’s a lot of winners in this building, and I’m looking forward to surrounding myself with them and just being a great teammate.”
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
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