49ers' Mac Jones revisits Kyle Shanahan's long-held belief following a turbulent NFL journey

Mac Jones waited years for the chance to play under Kyle Shanahan. That opportunity finally arrived when he joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, and the quarterback now believes it came at exactly the right time.

Speaking about his journey, Jones reflected on the coach who kept believing in him despite two difficult stops in New England and Jacksonville.The former first-round pick admitted his options were limited in free agency. Still, Shanahan's confidence gave him a reason to believe his career could head in a different direction. Looking back, Jones feels the partnership was always meant to happen.

Mac Jones says Kyle Shanahan never lost faith despite his NFL setbacks

Mac Jones opened up about his relationship with Shanahan during an appearance on the “Bussin' With The Boys” podcast.

While discussing why he signed with the 49ers, the quarterback revealed that Shanahan viewed his career very differently from the outside narrative.He said, "Kyle was like, 'He knows football. This kid got screwed or whatever you want to call it, and it just didn't work out. And I can get this kid back on track.' I feel like he really saw that. And honestly, he did. I'm going to keep doing that. I really appreciate it because it's always been me and Kyle.

I feel like that was always supposed to happen."

Those words carried extra weight because Shanahan had wanted Jones during the 2021 NFL Draft. Before San Francisco selected Trey Lance with the third overall pick, Jones spent months linked to the 49ers in draft discussions. The two never teamed up then, but the connection never completely disappeared.Jones entered the NFL with plenty of momentum. He threw for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns as a rookie with the New England Patriots, earned a Pro Bowl selection, and helped the team reach the playoffs in 2021.

Things changed quickly after offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left. New England shuffled through different offensive play callers over the next two seasons, and Jones struggled to find consistency before the Patriots traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024.Jacksonville offered a fresh start, but not a permanent one. Jones backed up Trevor Lawrence and started several games while Lawrence missed time due to injury.

He flashed his ability in stretches but never secured the long-term role many expected.That uncertainty followed him into free agency. Instead of chasing the biggest contract, Jones chose the San Francisco 49ers because he wanted stability and trusted Shanahan's system. That decision paid off early in the 2025 season. When Brock Purdy suffered a turf toe injury in Week 1, Jones stepped into the starting lineup and helped San Francisco win two straight games.

His best outing came in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams, where he threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-23 overtime victory.Kyke Shanahan praised his quarterback after that game, telling reporters that Jones had "played his a** off" while protecting the football against a strong defense.For Mac Jones, those moments meant more than another start. They fulfilled a connection that began before draft night in 2021 and finally became reality with the San Francisco 49ers.