Mac Jones revises 49ers deal: Can he be a starting QB elsewhere in 2027?

He's now set to earn $3.55 million with another $2.25 million in incentives available before he hits free agency next March.

Jones came to San Francisco last offseason as a backup, started eight games when Brock Purdy went down, and achieved the highest quarterback rating of his career.

Not only that, but Jones excelled when it mattered most.

As a first-rounder not so long ago, and after a career-best season under head coach Kyle Shanahan, talk has resurfaced about whether Jones can do a Sam Darnold and not only rescue his career, but flourish as a starter.

Jones' career reset with the 49ers

The 15th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones enjoyed a bright start to his career before tailing off in his second and third years.

A brief stopover in Jacksonville, where he threw for eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in place of the injured Trevor Lawrence, didn't move the needle on his evaluation.

That moment came after his move to San Francisco, when he was thrust into action in Week 2 with Brock Purdy sidelined with toe and shoulder injuries.

Despite the absence of star receiver Brandon Aiyuk and during a spell which coincided with the loss of defensive cornerstones Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, Jones kept the 49ers' playoff hopes alive.

In by far his best season yet, he went 5-3 as a starter, achieved a 97.4 passer rating, and completed 69.6 per cent of his passes for 13 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

Can Jones be a starting QB elsewhere in 2027?

Multiple teams reportedly called about Jones this offseason, but San Francisco's reported asking price of a supposed first-rounder scared them off. If nothing else, that price tag reveals how the 49ers value him.

Jones has no doubt in his own ability to be more than a benchwarmer.

"I've proven I can be a starter in multiple different spots. I have 50-plus starts or whatever. I know how to do it," he said when trade rumours were swirling in February.

"I have my swag back, and I feel like that's important for me. I can go out there and win games for whoever," Jones added.

The Sam Darnold blueprint is the obvious reference point. Like Jones, Darnold was a first-round pick and watched as his career nose-dived before turning the corner.

That comparison only goes so far, and Darnold's Super Bowl win is a massive ask for anyone, but the core of the argument still holds.

While Jones may have preferred the chance to prove his worth elsewhere, he's aware of the comparisons and how Darnold's own stay in San Francisco helped him to turn things around.

"I've watched him [Darnold] in interviews, and he does say that learning from Kyle and Brock really changed his career. I see why now. I've learned so much this year. I know Sam probably felt the same way."

For now, the 49ers have enviable depth at quarterback. Fast forward to 2027, and we could be talking about what Jones can do as the leader of the offense on his next team.