It took nearly five years, but we finally received the answer to the question that was never completely answered after the 2021 NFL Draft.
Kyle Shanahan wanted Mac Jones in San Francisco.
The veteran confirmed Shanahan's desires to draft the Alabama product during an appearance on the "Monday Mornings with Mitch" podcast.
"Kyle and I, we just have a great relationship, and he wanted me to be here with him when I was coming out of the draft," Jones said. "Obviously, it went in different ways, but that's what it's all about -- reconnecting with people that either see value in you or whatnot."
Shanahan eventually received his wish in 2025 when the 49ers signed Jones to a two-year, $7 million contract to serve as Brock Purdy's backup. But those who tracked the 2021 draft -- the same class that included Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and the 49ers' eventual choice, North Dakota State's Trey Lance, in the first three picks -- remember the rumblings that Shanahan preferred Jones over Lance.
Finally, we know those rumblings were accurate.
From San Francisco's perspective, the results were fortuitous: Jones ended up proving mighty useful in 2025, filling in for an injured Purdy and keeping the 49ers in the playoff race by performing remarkably well in his eight starts, winning five of them and enjoying enough success to make him a valued trade target entering 2026.
"Just hearing the stories about Kyle and how he sees the run game and the pass game and running the team meetings, and it was just interesting. And finally, I got to see it this year, and that was just awesome," Jones said.
Although he'd likely prefer an opportunity to start again, San Francisco has little reason to trade Jones, especially after he proved so valuable amid Purdy's health challenges. He's remarkably affordable, fits quite well with Shanahan and likely isn't worth moving unless an offer from a QB-needy team is too strong to pass up.
Still, the connections between then and now remain fascinating in hindsight.
Ultimately, Jones landed with the New England Patriots with the 15th overall pick, won the starting job out of camp (leading to Cam Newton's surprising release) and showed promise as a rookie before struggling in the ensuing seasons, leading New England to trade Jones to Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
San Francisco, meanwhile, received positive but brief success from Lance, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in 2022, clearing the way for 2022 Mr. Irrelevant Purdy to grab a firm hold of the starting job entering 2023 and contributing to Lance's departure via trade to Dallas just before the start of the 2023 regular season.
Oddly enough, the Patriots spent the pick they received from Jacksonville on Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III, whom New England eventually traded to Dallas in 2025, providing the Cowboys with their replacement for Lance. The former No. 3 overall pick, meanwhile, landed with the Los Angeles Chargers less a month after San Francisco signed Jones to his two-year deal.
The butterfly effect that began with the 2021 draft continues to resonate in 2026. If Shanahan has his way, the web that drew him and Jones together will remain intact through this upcoming season -- and perhaps even longer.
