Niners Nation
QB Mac Jones puts a smile on 49ers’ faces, but can he also deliver a Week 2 win? (paywall)
“Niners fullback Kyle Juszczyk said Jones was dancing “24/7” in the locker room throughout spring practices, not long after he met his new teammates after signing a two-year contract in March. His preferred music? None. The man literally grooves to his own beat.
Right tackle Colton McKivitz’s analysis: “He’s definitely smooth.”…. As far as his rapping, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who was Jones’ teammate for three seasons with the Patriots, recalled how Jones would often freestyle with him in the locker room before games.
“It was one of the funniest things,” Bourne said. “It was just instrumental. So we’d play a beat and then we’d just flow, mess around, say stuff.”
Bourne’s assessment: “He knows the culture. For a white guy, he’s not bad. Not bad at all.”…. Jones said Shanahan is “really funny” and they share a similar humor. Asked about Jones’ personality, Shanahan offered that he is “really cool” and noted his wife, Mandy, assumed he had a good sense of humor based on the fire-engine red suit he wore to last week’s season-opening win at Seattle.
“I don’t think he’s trying to be funny,” Shanahan said. “He’s just got swag. It’s just him. Mac’s himself, makes guys laugh, and he’s got a lot of energy. Our guys have really enjoyed him so far. … Guys play hard for guys that they like. That’s for sure.”
Jones addressed the team after Thursday’s practice. Part of his message: “Walk in your trap, take over your trap.” It’s a rap lyric meant to convey the 49ers’ mission Sunday: Take over the Saints’ home stadium.
Juszczyk smiled as he relayed Jones’ words of wisdom.
“Mac,” he said, “is just a really funny dude.”
What I’m hearing on Tyreek Hill’s future, 49ers’ injury bug and Chiefs’ reset (paywall) There’s a reason Jones signed this offseason with San Francisco on a two-year deal, even after turning down bigger offers elsewhere. He and Shanahan always had a natural connection, dating back to the 2021 draft cycle. When the 49ers traded up to No. 3 that spring, sources say, it was for Jones. Shanahan has since admitted the two quarterbacks they focused on during that strange Covid year were Trey Lance and Jones.
Ultimately, they chose Lance at No. 3, while Jones slid to New England at No. 15. Rumors swirled afterward that Niners GM John Lynch pushed for Lance while Shanahan wanted Jones. But here’s what’s clear: Shanahan is one of the league’s best coaches. He’s proven he knows how to get the best out of any quarterback. He’s not signing off on a quarterback unless he thinks he can make it work….As one New Orleans defender told me: “Now, with the 49ers, he’s in a way better situation. Just look at the offense — more weapons, better scheme, more support. It’s night and day from Foxboro. Our game plan’s pretty simple: Collapse the pocket,...
