49ers send clear message to Brock Purdy by signing ex-Patriots QB Mac Jones to a two-year deal

What seemed like a simple negotiation between Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers regarding a new contract has quickly turned into a game of cat and mouse. To add pressure on the Pro Bowler, the Niners signed Mac Jones to a two-year contract.

The Niners had two backup QBs in 2024, Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs. A year later, Dobbs signed a two-year deal with the New England Patriots, opening up a spot.

On Tuesday, the 49ers made a shock investment by signing Mac Jones to a two-year, $7 million deal with $5 million guaranteed, and it could rise to $11.5 million if certain criteria are met, as per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The former #Patriots starter, who played last year with the #Jaguars, lands with Kyle Shanahan — a key factor in the decision. https://t.co/e9OszFt9bv

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2025

49ers possibly want Mac Jones to compete with Brock Purdy for the starting QB job

The Alabama graduate’s addition is a sign that the Niners are running out of patience with Purdy taking his sweet time to decide whether to accept the $45 million/year offered deal. According to Rapoport, Jones has been signed as the backup to Purdy, but in reality, this will also force him to make a quick decision; otherwise, he might lose his position on the team.

Jones played the 2024 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the backup to Trevor Lawrence. After Lawrence was ruled out due to injury, the 26-year-old took over and started seven games. He completed 171 passes for 1672 yards (65.3 yards per game), eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions, finishing with a 2-5 record.

The New England Patriots drafted Jones in the 2021 first round as the replacement for Tom Brady. He led the Patriots to a 10-7 finish in his rookie season to earn a Pro Bowl call-up. However, he witnessed a massive downfall the following two seasons, ending with 6-8 and 2-9 records.

Bill Belichick then reportedly forced Jones out of the Patriots to the Jaguars for a sixth-round draft pick. A few months later, Belichick ended his 20+ years and six Super Bowl stint with the team.

Purdy needs to decide on his contract

Purdy is in the final year of his rookie $3.7 million contract, and according to various sources, a new deal is on the cards. Despite being the last overall pick in the 2022 draft, Purdy led the 49ers to consecutive NFC Championship appearances and Super Bowl qualification while boasting a 23-13 record.

Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch reportedly are on board with extending Purdy’s stay in San Francisco, but they are playing hardball now. The Niners released and traded away several core players, including Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw, and Kyle Juszczyk, and might do the same with WR Brandon Aiyuk, who signed a $30 million/year deal in 2024.

Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post revealed that the Niners gave Purdy an opening offer of $45 million/year. ESPN’s Adam Schefter, in a recent segment of the Pat McAfee Show, discussed Purdy’s impending contract.

Brock Purdy certainly could [get $50 million per year], but that’s a question if they get that deal done… [He] is going to want to get a deal and the Niners would want to get a deal done, but the issue is he’s scheduled to make $5.1 million this season. He then could be tagged after next season for $41 million. He could be tagged the season after that for $51 million.

Adam Schefter said

"Brock Purdy and the 49ers obviously wanna get a deal done..

The Niners have a bit of a cap issue right now so I don't imagine they can offer as much as some people think" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/UMCSKniRPD

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 4, 2025

If the cap creators add that number, it becomes close to $100 million in three years (same as Sam Darnold in Seattle, excluding the guaranteed money). A quarterback who has been to the Super Bowl expects to be paid top money, but it also puts a question mark on the 49ers’ cap space.

Spotrac projected Purdy to receive a mouth-watering $57 million/year, which places him right behind the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen and Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott.

The number became a matter of debate for many, especially those analysts who don’t consider the Iowa State graduate to be in the same ballpark as Jalen Hurts or Justin Herbert, who earn just over $50 million/ year.

FOX’s Nick Wright and Colin Cowherd, in a recent debate, urged the 49ers to give Purdy a team-friendly deal instead of paying him big money. This will hand them additional money to replace the players who have left the team.

Purdy didn’t have a productive year in 2024. With players such as Aiyuk and RB Christian McCaffrey missing from the team, he only managed to win six from 15 starts, completing 300 passes for 3864 yards, 25 total touchdowns, and 12 picks (most of his career).