San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones was one of the most talked-about trade candidates this offseason. After stepping in for an injured Brock Purdy and going 5-3 as a starter — completing 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions — the former Patriots first-round pick had done more than enough to generate interest around the league.
The 49ers ultimately held on to him, giving Jones a pay bump after the draft came and went without a trade deal. And by all accounts, Jones is fine with how things played out. But more than just being a good backup, Jones appears to be a key player off the field for the 49ers, according to tight end George Kittle.
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“He’s a juice guy,” Kittle said on Fanduel TV’s Up & Adams show. “He’s got all the energy in the world and he loves life. Usually, your quarterback’s not usually the glue guy — and Mac Jones is a glue guy. It’s usually like an offensive lineman, a tight end, maybe a D-lineman. There’s usually like one guy that the entire team loves. That’s Mac Jones.”
Kittle described a teammate who shows up whenever and wherever the guys need him — road trips to San Francisco, weekends in Vegas, nearly a trip to Miami Swim Week.
“He’s always down to hang out with the boys and just support,” Kittle added.
But Kittle was quick to note that Jones’ off-field presence only means something because he backs it up between the lines.
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“He worked his tail off, does everything he can to play at a high level — and he’s the only reason we made the playoffs,” Kittle said. “I have nothing but green flags to say about Mac Jones.”
Jones even responded to Kittle’s kind words and noted in a recent interview that he isn’t dwelling on what could have been and said he isn’t mad about not being dealt to a team where he could start. Instead, Jones said that he’s happy to be having fun playing football again.
“I want to build on it and have another good year,” Jones said. “It’s never been really about the money for me, to be honest. I’m just glad that I’m having fun again. That’s priceless to me.”
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: George Kittle explains why QB Mac Jones is the 49ers’ ‘glue guy’
