A FORMER New England Patriots draft bust has received a career lifeline and joined a new team.
The former first-round pick agreed to a multi-year deal with a franchise on Wednesday night – just hours after NFL free agency officially began.
Quarterback Mac Jones agreed to a two-year contract worth $7 million with $5 million guaranteed to join the San Francisco 49ers, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
He will be part of a 49ers franchise that had plenty of interest in drafting him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jones and San Francisco were linked after head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad traded three first-round picks to obtain the No. 3 selection.
The 49ers instead drafted Trey Lance, who struggled to stay healthy and only played in two seasons for the team before losing his starting job to Brock Purdy and being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.
Jones will now be the backup to Purdy, who has established himself as the full-time starter and is in line for a big pay day in the near future.
The Alabama product Jones had a strong start to his NFL career, leading the Patriots to a playoff appearance in his rookie season in 2021.
However, he regressed mightily the following year and was replaced as the starter in a brutal 4-13 campaign in 2023.
Jones’ last year in New England was also the six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick’s last season as a head coach.
Last March, Jones was sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars and started seven games for the franchise.
He recorded eight passing touchdowns and eight interceptions during that span.
Niners fans weren’t surprised with the team’s signing of the five-year NFL veteran.
“Kyle gets what he’s wanted the entire time!!!!” one wrote.
“49ers got their guy!!! He was always meant to go where Lance went!” another commented.
“That’s who Shanahan wanted all along. A deep value play. Let’s hope he’s a little more solid than Jimmy,” a third added.
“Kyle finally got his guy lol,” a fourth said.
During his career, Jones has made 49 career starts, throwing 54 touchdown passes along with 44 interceptions and averaging 6.7 yards per attempt.
The 49ers signed Jones after losing backup Joshua Dobbs to the Patriots in free agency.
The franchise also have yet to retain Brandon Allen, who’s currently a free agent.