Former Patriots Quarterback Gets Major Update Ahead Of Week 3

The New England Patriots will be very interested to see how second-year quarterback Drake Maye performs in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Across the league, though, they are likely also keeping tabs on one of their former first-round picks, Mac Jones.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Jones with the No. 15 overall pick, hoping he could become their next quarterback of the future. After a Pro Bowl campaign as a rookie, Jones flamed out and ended up getting traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars before the 2024 season.

After spending one year down south, Jones decided to go west and sign with the San Francisco 49ers last offseason. After the 49ers nearly selected Jones with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft, they decided to sign him to be Brock Purdy’s backup.

It only took one game for Purdy to get injured, which forced Jones into action in Week 2. He ended up leading the Niners to a 26-21 victory over the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns in place of Purdy.

Once Purdy gets healthy, it’s clear that Jones will return to the bench, and it initially seemed like he had a shot at returning for Week 3. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, though, Purdy is unlikely to play against the Arizona Cardinals, meaning Jones will be under center again on Sunday.

“Kyle Shanahan says it’s ‘highly unlikely’ Purdy will start,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network wrote in a post on X. “So Mac Jones starts, but Purdy could be in uniform as the 2 or 3. ‘A lot of progress. I thought he had a good week. Hopefully, we can get him up for the game.'”

The stakes will be significantly higher for Jones in this start, as the Cardinals, like the 49ers, are undefeated heading into Week 3. San Fran will be hoping Jones can put together a similar performance to the one he delivered against New Orleans, as they could very well take total control of the NFC West with a win in this game.

Of course, Patriots fans will be more concerned with their own team’s game against the Steelers. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, with New England looking to win its second straight game after defeating the Miami Dolphins last week.