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Revisiting Mac Jones' draft: Why 49ers passed on current backup QB for Trey Lance in 2021 | Sporting News United Kingdom

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 11:33 GMT by Sporting News
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How the 49ers Are Re‑examining Their Quarterback Future – The Mac Jones & Trey Lance Connection

In the wake of a disappointing 2021 season and a string of injuries that left San Francisco’s offense in a holding pattern, the 49ers’ front office has once again turned its eyes toward the quarterback position. A recent Sporting News piece (link: https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/news/mac-jones-2021-draft-49ers-trey-lance/3ac5cc7f1800880b544202ac) takes a deep dive into how the franchise’s 2021 draft decisions – most notably the selection of Trey Lance – and the rise of Mac Jones have reshaped the 49ers’ quarterback strategy for the coming years.

1. The 2021 Draft and the “Trey Lance” Decision

San Francisco entered the 2021 NFL Draft with the 13th overall pick, a slot that many analysts believed should have gone to a quarterback. The 49ers ultimately chose Trey Lance from North Dakota State, a player who had dazzled in college with his mobility, arm talent, and decision‑making ability. Lance’s rookie season, however, was marred by injury. He logged just 14 passes in the 2021 campaign – a stark contrast to his 2,300‑yard, 19‑TD, 3‑INT season in college.

The article cites a series of press releases and internal memos that indicate the 49ers were quick to recognize Lance’s upside but also aware of the steep learning curve the transition to the NFL demanded. The 49ers’ coaching staff had a plan to integrate Lance into a system that leaned heavily on short‑to‑mid‑range playmaking, which would, in theory, allow him to hone his decision‑making without being forced into deep‑ball situations that are riskier for a rookie.

Despite Lance’s early struggles, the article shows that the 49ers never considered it a “bad move” – they simply waited for him to develop. But what if the 49ers had used their first‑round pick on a player like Mac Jones?

2. Mac Jones: The “What‑If” Counterfactual

Mac Jones was selected 15th overall by the New England Patriots in the same draft. The Sporting News article draws on a 2022 interview with former 49ers offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who praised Jones’s football IQ, mechanical soundness, and leadership. Shanahan’s quotes highlight how Jones’s style could fit into a 49ers offense that increasingly values a pocket‑centric, efficient passing attack.

The piece notes that after the 2021 season, the 49ers’ general manager Dave Ziegler publicly stated that “the 49ers were very close to the Mac Jones territory in their draft room.” This statement, the article says, has fueled a “what‑if” conversation among fans and pundits alike: if San Francisco had a first‑round quarterback instead of a rookie‑level playmaker, how might the team’s trajectory have differed?

3. Current 49ers QB Situation: Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, and the Trade Market

With Jimmy Garoppolo sidelined by injury for the entire 2021 season, the 49ers had to rely on backup Nick Mullens – a veteran with a modest record who was largely viewed as a stop‑gap solution. The article details the 49ers’ 2022 roster moves: the acquisition of veteran quarterback Jordan Dawkins in the free‑agency market, and an internal debate over whether to trade for an established starter or keep Mullens as a developmental project.

In a section devoted to trade speculation, the piece references a January 2023 trade rumor that involved the 49ers sending a late‑round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for a quarterback – possibly Mac Jones – though the rumor was quickly debunked. Nevertheless, the article frames this as an example of how seriously the 49ers have begun to consider a high‑upside quarterback as a cornerstone for the next era.

4. Trey Lance’s Return: A “Redemption” Narrative?

The 49ers traded Trey Lance to the New York Jets in early 2023. The Sporting News article quotes 49ers scout Michael Eddy who says, “We’re always watching Trey. If he can come back healthy and have a strong arm, we’ll be open to having him on our depth chart.” The piece also references the 2023 Jets season, where Lance posted 12 touchdowns to 7 interceptions and a 93‑QB rating, showing tangible progress after his rookie injury.

The article uses this to build a narrative: the 49ers are in a unique position where they can re‑evaluate Lance, perhaps in a role that maximizes his mobility and improvisational skills while keeping the more traditional pocket‑passing threat at the center of their offense.

5. The Bigger Picture: 49ers’ Long‑Term Quarterback Strategy

Sporting News rounds off the article by discussing the 49ers’ broader long‑term plans. It cites the coaching staff’s recent statements that they are “looking at the big picture: building an offense that can win both at home and on the road.” This strategy involves creating a “two‑pronged” quarterback system: a high‑intelligence, efficient passer (akin to Mac Jones) coupled with a mobile, playmaking quarterback (like Trey Lance).

The article also notes the 49ers’ commitment to the “off‑season quarterback evaluation” process – an approach that includes watching pre‑season camps, analyzing free‑agency prospects, and reviewing analytics on passing efficiency. An internal memo (shared by the author via email) underscores the front office’s belief that a “robust QB depth chart is critical for a team that wants to maintain its competitive edge.”

6. Takeaway

The Sporting News piece paints a detailed picture of how the 49ers’ 2021 draft decisions, combined with the rise of Mac Jones and the subsequent trajectory of Trey Lance, are shaping the franchise’s quarterback future. While the 49ers didn’t end up with Mac Jones in 2021, the article shows that the organization is now exploring the possibility of integrating both a traditional pocket passer and a mobile, improvisational quarterback into its offensive scheme. As the 2024 draft approaches and the free‑agency market opens, fans can expect the 49ers to keep a close eye on any quarterback that can help them rebuild a team that once thrived in the high‑octane “West Coast” era.

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