49ers’s backup quarterback is making headlines for all the right reasons. With Brock Purdy sidelined due to a lingering toe injury, Mac Jones has stepped in and turned what was meant to be a short-term role into a string of victories, and a hefty financial boost.
The 49ers improved to 5–2 after their 20–10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, marking Jones’ fourth win since taking over. When the season began, few expected Jones to see much playing time. Purdy was set as the franchise starter, while Jones was viewed purely as insurance.
Yet, as Purdy’s absence extended beyond the initial projection of one or two games, Jones has made the most of his opportunity, earning both credibility and cash with each performance.
Jones keeps winning, and earning, as Purdy’s recovery continues
Jones’ current run has turned a quiet backup contract into one of the league’s most lucrative side stories. Under his deal, Jones earns $100,000 for every win in which he plays at least 25 percent of the snaps.
That clause, once seen as unlikely to activate, has now triggered multiple times. His agreement also includes a ceiling of $1.5 million in potential incentives, a target that now seems within reach.
Since taking over for Purdy, Jones is 4–1 as a starter, throwing for more than 1,400 yards in just five games.
The former Patriots quarterback signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal with San Francisco in March, which included a $400,000 bonus for winning four games as a starter while meeting the snap threshold.
With that milestone met after Sunday’s win, each additional victory now earns him an extra $100,000.
It is not just Jones in San Francisco making headlines with his resurgence. Daniel Jones, now with the Indianapolis Colts, continues to thrive after being released by the New York Giants midway through his $160 million contract.
The Colts are 6–1 following a 38–24 win over the Chargers, and Daniel Jones has collected $600,000 in bonuses under his one-year, $14 million deal that pays $100,000 per win when he plays at least half the snaps.
While the Giants bear a $22 million cap hit from his old deal, Daniel Jones has helped guide Indianapolis toward playoff contention. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Mac Jones is proving that opportunity and preparation can turn a temporary assignment into a defining chapter, both for his career and his bank account.
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