In a move that has sent ripples through the football world and perhaps a few gasps in the collectibles market, former first-round pick Mac Jones has inked a deal with the San Francisco 49ers. This two-year, $7.5 million contract not only positions him as the understudy to Brock Purdy but reunites him with head coach Kyle Shanahan. It’s a pairing that was once fervently speculated upon during the 2021 NFL Draft—the marriage that almost was, but never came to be, until now.
The 2021 NFL Draft was a heady time of speculation and whispers, where everyone played out their inner pundit and made bets on who would go where. In this cacophony of guesses, the San Francisco 49ers loomed large with big decisions. Many a seasoned football scribe, and even the legendary Adam Schefter, reported that Shanahan held a torch for Jones as a potential quarterback of the future. But as fate would have it, the 49ers opted for Trey Lance, a player believed to possess an elusive ceiling of untapped potential. Fast forward to today, and that narrative has spun quite the yarn; Lance didn’t seize the starting role and soon found himself onboard a Dallas-bound ship.
Enter Brock Purdy, the unassuming quarterback performing a football fairy tale of sorts, who took up the mantle for the 49ers and steered them all the way to a Super Bowl appearance. But the dynamism of the NFL means nothing stays still for long. Now, the 49ers’ quarterback conundrum has deepened as Jones steps into the picture. His arrival punctuated by Shanahan’s enduring interest adds a spicy layer to San Francisco’s gridiron plans.
While the move is understandably captivating for football strategy enthusiasts, it also sparks interest in a different sphere—the market for Mac Jones’ cards and memorabilia. Known for their predictive spikes and values ghosting up in clouds of speculation, collectible markets can be as unpredictable as a last-minute Hail Mary. Currently, Mac Jones cards aren’t exactly setting the world on fire. The sizzling market momentum that once surrounded his collectibles when he entered the league has cooled over time. However, Jones joining a Shanahan-led offense could give it a short-term jolt. Though he’s not stepping onto the field as the leading man, his placement within a quarterback-friendly offensive system isn’t going unnoticed by collectors.
Should we anticipate an overnight surge in the value of his Panini rookie cards or autographed merchandise? Probably not. Jones, after all, is stepping in as a backup, his role more of a strategic understudy rather than a leading protagonist at this juncture. However, prognosticators of pigskin futures will note that drama and intricacies of NFL contract negotiations can make strange bedfellows. There lies the potential for long-term upticks should Purdy stumble, suffer an injury, or reach an impasse with the 49ers over contract talks—an eventuality that would thrust Jones into the spotlight.
The timing of Jones’ signing adds another dimension to the narrative, overlaying contractual arm wrestling with gridiron strategy. Brock Purdy, currently still basking in the value of his low-cost rookie terms, is eyeing a significant pay rise in the near-term. San Francisco, keenly aware of the fiscal gymnastics any extension might entail, could turn to Jones if the financial scales tip beyond their comfort zone. With Purdy never having played an entire season, the potential for Jones to earn snaps isn’t just speculative—it’s a viable eventuality.
For those weighing the potential returns on Jones memorabilia, the scenery has undeniably shifted. In the complex world of sports cards, timing is everything. While the market remains rather tepid on Jones for now, skeptical eyes may wish to secure valuable collectibles at today’s prices in anticipation of what could come. A flashing glimpse of Jones commanding the huddle for the 49ers, either sparked by circumstance or in strategic necessity, could invigorate the frenzy for his trading cards.
For the moment, Mac Jones is the backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers—a role unglamorous but steeped in potential. Given the nature of the NFL, where change is more relentless than a two-minute drill, Jones’ moment could be just snaps away. In the vibrant and sometimes volatile landscape of San Francisco, the quarterback saga never fails to pivot and enthrall. Whether you’re a football fan or a memorabilia enthusiast, keep that popcorn at the ready and your eyes on the field; the next quarterback chapter in San Francisco has just begun.
