A large swath of the 49ers fan base didn’t want Mac Jones to be the team’s pick at No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL draft. The former Alabama quarterback eventually fell to the Patriots at No. 15 after the 49ers passed on him.
Jones made it clear in his post-draft interview that while 49ers fans were loudly hoping he wouldn’t be suiting up in red and gold, he was quietly hoping the same.
“Secretly, I really wanted to go to the Patriots all along,” Jones said via Patriots beat writer Doug Kyed.
Jones got his wish when he was the fifth quarterback selected, confirming why it would’ve been ludicrous for the 49ers to mortgage their future by trading up and picking him third overall. It turns out they could’ve stayed at 12, or even moved back a couple spots if he was their choice.
Alas, San Francisco landed on North Dakota State’s Trey Lance after weeks of debate about whether it would be him, Jones or Ohio State’s Justin Fields going third.
The 49ers sounded very happy with their choice, and Jones sounded happy to slide to the middle of the first round. A happy ending for all.
