Could Mac Jones Be the Next Sam Darnold? Analyst Has Belief in the Kyle Shanahan System

Rich Eisen believes that Mac Jones is next in line to have a resurgence like Sam Darnold.

Could Mac Jones Be the Next Sam Darnold? Analyst Has Belief in the Kyle Shanahan System

Mac Jones (Image via IMAGO)

If there’s one quarterback who can undergo a similar career resurgence to Sam Darnold, then that is Mac Jones. Last year, the 27-year-old showed that he is capable of stacking up wins in the right setup.

As Brock Purdy‘s reliever in San Francisco, Jones completed 69.6% of his passes for 2151 yards, threw 16 touchdowns, and had 6 interceptions. With Jones as the starter, the 49ers went 5-3 before Purdy took over.

Speaking on a recent episode of his show, Rich Eisen predicted that Jones would turn around his career as he continues to learn under Kyle Shanahan.

Mac Jones, in my estimation, is the most likely candidate to be the next Sam Darnold of anybody else.

Rich Eisen said

Jones is among the top free agents in 2026, along with Mike Evans, Derek Carr, and Kenneth Murray. It is anticipated that the Jets, Vikings, and Steelers may send trade proposals to San Fran for Jones. However, Eisen urged the Niners to avoid losing Jones to another team.

He’s actually in the [Kyle] Shanahan system that everybody credits for Sam Darnold’s reset. And Brock Purdy was not available for some time this year, and Mac Jones kept the Niners so afloat, they almost won the one seed… Why would the Niners make [Mac Jones] available to other teams?

Rich Eisen said

The New England Patriots drafted Jones 15th overall in 2021. In 42 games, Jones had a passer rating of 85.8 with 8,918 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions for the New England franchise. After three seasons, he was traded to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. He saw the field after Trevor Lawrence picked up an injury. After the Jags released him, Jone signed a two-year $7 million deal with the 49ers.

49ers general manager reveals what NFL teams have to spend to make Mac Jones their quarterback

Jones put the league on notice with stellar performances. For example, in the week 5 fixture against divisional rivals, the Rams, Jones threw for 342 yards and 2 touchdowns on 33 completions. He recorded a passer rating of 100.3.

Could Mac Jones Be the Next Sam Darnold? Analyst Has Belief in the Kyle Shanahan System
Mac Jones (Image via IMAGO)

The Niners certainly hold Jones in high regard. Any team that aims to make the Alabama graduate their starting quarterback must be ready to pay a heavy price in return.

He’s really good for us, and we value that. And so somebody would have to come [up] with something fairly strong for us to consider [trading Mac]. And then I don’t know what we do. Obviously, there’s always something that would make you [do it], but I think we’re a better team with him on it and we just like having him around.

49ers general manager John Lynch said about Mac Jones (HT/Nick Wagoner of ESPN)

The Niners went 12-5 and finished third in the NFC West. It was enough to squeeze into the playoffs, where they faced the Seahawks. The Seattle franchise won 41-6. After the season ended, Shanahan revealed that he expects Jones to stay with the Niners in 2026.

As any player on our team, including myself and John [Lynch], you always listen to people and trade offers, but we’re also not into getting rid of good players. So, I’d be very surprised if Mac [Jones] wasn’t around us next year.

Shanahan said

Jones is only entering his prime, and with the right structure, he can have a similar impact to what Darnold has had in Seattle. He just needs the coaches to trust his skills.

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