Mac Jones gets a raise: Where does his pay rank among the NFL’s backup QBs?

Despite swirling trade rumors throughout the offseason, Mac Jones remains a member of the San Francisco 49ers. While general manager John Lynch navigated five trades during April's NFL Draft, the former Alabama star is staying put. In fact, after stepping in for an injured Brock Purdy last season, Jones has been rewarded with a contract adjustment.

A Pay Bump for Jones

The 49ers have added a $300,000 roster bonus to the quarterback’s deal. This adjustment brings Jones' total compensation for the 2026 season to $3.55 million. His total package now consists of a $1.4 million base salary, a $1.41 million option bonus, $100,000 for workouts, the $300,000 roster bonus, and a per-game active bonus structure providing $20,000 for every game he is on the active roster, totaling $340,000.

Even with this raise, Jones is projected to hold the 12th-highest pay spot among NFL backup quarterbacks for 2026. According to recent rankings, his earnings currently trail several other veteran backups across the league.

Incentives and Opportunity

Beyond his base pay, Jones has $2.25 million available in incentives, which he could trigger by replicating the performance he put on display in 2025. Last year, after signing as a free agent to serve as Brock Purdy’s backup, Jones found himself in the spotlight when Purdy suffered a toe injury.

Jones started eight games, guiding the 49ers to five victories. During that stretch, he completed 201-of-289 passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. His average of 268.9 passing yards per game ranked second among NFL quarterbacks with at least eight starts, and his 97.4 passer rating ranked 13th—outperforming any of his statistical campaigns as a full-time starter.

A Career of High-Stakes Experience

Jones entered the league as the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft following his undefeated national championship season at Alabama. He immediately made an impact with the New England Patriots, starting 42 consecutive games and reaching both the playoffs and the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Following a mid-season benching in 2023, he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2024. During his tenure there, he started seven games in place of an injured Trevor Lawrence, tallying six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Now settled in San Francisco, Jones provides the 49ers with high-level experience should he be called upon again this season.

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