The 49ers have amended a pair of contracts. Quarterback Mac Jones and center Jake Brendel have agreed to revised deals, according to reports from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network and Spotrac.
Jones, who is entering the second season of a two-year, $7MM pact, is getting a $300K roster bonus after performing well as Brock Purdy‘s backup in 2025. He now stands to earn $3.55MM during the upcoming season and could make another $2.25MM in incentives, per Pelissero. Meanwhile, the 49ers converted $3.02MM of Brendel’s money into a signing bonus, opening up approximately $2.27MM in cap space. They have around $70MM to play with, which is easily the most in the NFL.
As the 15th overall pick in 2021, Jones impressed during his rookie season in New England. But after guiding the Patriots to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth that year, his performance declined significantly. The Patriots cut ties with Jones in 2024 when they traded him to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. After enduring another poor season while filling in for an injured Trevor Lawrence over seven starts in Jacksonville, Jones rebounded in his first year in San Francisco.
With Purdy out for eight games, the 27-year-old Jones helped the 49ers to a 5-3 record during a 12-win, playoff-bound season for the club. While throwing 13 touchdowns against six interceptions, Jones established new career highs in completion percentage (69.6), yards per attempt (7.4), passer rating (97.4) and QBR (62.3). Given that Purdy is entrenched atop the 49ers’ depth chart, Jones went into the offseason as a potential sell-high candidate. The 49ers reportedly set an “astronomical” asking price, but nobody bit. That’s OK with general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, who have made it clear on multiple occasions that they believe the 49ers are a better team with Jones on their roster.
Brendel will count $3.14MM against the 49ers’ cap in 2026, the last season of a four-year, $16.5MM accord. He is also on track to remain on their books for $3.6MM during a void year in 2027. In the meantime, the soon-to-be 34-year-old will play his sixth season in San Francisco in 2026. As the 49ers’ No. 1 center since 2022, Brendel has started in 66 straight appearances. He had two absences last year, dashing his bid for a fourth full season in a row, but was effective when on the field. Brendel ranked as Pro Football Focus’ eighth-best center among 37 qualifiers.
Lol that’s it?
Jones has outperformed guys earning $20 million plus per!
Wonder if Mac Jones will become the next Sam Darnold type to rise to prominence?