Mac Jones Signs with 49ers—What It Means for His Future and Card Market

• Posted: March 14, 2025, 4:59 am
• in Sports Card News
• by bionic

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Mac Jones has a new home. The former first-round pick has signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers, reuniting him with Kyle Shanahan, who was once rumored to have been eyeing Jones in the 2021 NFL Draft.

While he’s stepping in as Brock Purdy’s backup, this move brings plenty of intrigue—not just for the 49ers’ quarterback situation, but also for Jones’ collectibles market.

Kyle Shanahan Finally Gets His Guy​

Back in 2021, many believed San Francisco was going to draft Jones at No. 3 overall. Even Adam Schefter reported that Shanahan was high on him before the team ultimately selected Trey Lance instead.

Fast forward a few years, and things didn’t go as planned.

• Lance never became the starter, eventually getting shipped off to Dallas.
• Brock Purdy took over and thrived, leading the team to the Super Bowl.
• Now, Jones lands in San Francisco, just in a different role than originally expected.

What This Means for Mac Jones' Cards and Memorabilia​

Jones’ rookie cards and memorabilia haven’t been hot sellers for a while, but could this change?

• Short-term bump – Anytime a quarterback joins a Kyle Shanahan offense, collectors take notice. Jones might not be starting, but he’s now in a QB-friendly system.
• No major spike—yet – He’s still a backup, so don’t expect his Panini rookie cards or signed gear to fly off the shelves overnight.
• Long-term potential – If Purdy struggles, gets injured, or the 49ers hesitate on a massive contract extension, Jones could see the field—and that’s when his market could really move.

Is San Francisco Preparing for Life Without Brock Purdy?​

The timing of this signing is interesting, given Purdy’s looming contract situation.

• Purdy is due for a huge payday soon—if the 49ers keep him, he’ll command a massive deal.
• San Francisco has benefited from Purdy’s low-cost rookie contract, but that flexibility is running out.
• Purdy has never played a full season, making it likely that Jones could get snaps at some point.

Could the 49ers be hedging their bets? If Jones performs well when called upon, could San Francisco consider a cheaper alternative to Purdy?

Time to Invest in Mac Jones Collectibles?​

Jones' market has been relatively quiet, but that could change under the right circumstances.

• If you believe in Jones’ upside, now might be the best time to grab his cards and memorabilia at a discount.
• If Purdy’s situation gets complicated, or Jones sees meaningful playing time, his value could climb quickly.

For now, Mac Jones is a backup—but in the NFL, things change fast. And in San Francisco, quarterback drama is never far away.