“HE’S BACK UNDER CENTER!” — 49ers Turn to Mac Jones Once Again as Starting QB vs. Giants 🔥🏈
The San Francisco 49ers are running it back with Mac Jones — and the decision has the NFL world buzzing.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Thursday that Jones will start again on Sunday against the
For Jones, it’s another shot to prove he belongs — not just as a backup option, but as a legitimate leader capable of guiding one of the league’s most talented rosters.
“Mac gives us the best chance to win right now,” Shanahan said in a press conference. “He’s been sharp in practice, he’s confident, and the locker room trusts him.”
It’s been a winding road for the former Patriots signal-caller. After being traded to San Francisco in the offseason, Jones spent the early part of the year learning Shanahan’s complex offensive system and battling inconsistency in limited action. But with the 49ers’ season hanging in the balance, the coaching staff believes he’s ready to take control.
Last week, Jones showed flashes of his old Alabama precision — completing 72% of his passes and engineering two long touchdown drives in a close loss. While he still took a few costly sacks, the offense looked noticeably steadier with his decision-making and rhythm-based passing attack.
Now, facing a Giants defense ranked in the bottom third of the league against the pass, this could be the perfect opportunity for Jones to reestablish his reputation.
The stakes are high. San Francisco, sitting at
“He doesn’t have to be a hero,” Shanahan added. “Just distribute the ball, protect it, and let our playmakers do what they do best.”
For Jones, Sunday represents more than just another start — it’s a redemption shot. After enduring criticism and a messy exit from New England, he now has a chance to rewrite his story in San Francisco.
If he delivers a statement performance against the Giants, the narrative could shift quickly — from “placeholder” to “comeback story.”
Because for Mac Jones and the 49ers, this isn’t just another game.
It’s a chance to turn the page — and maybe, to spark something special. 🔴⚡
Deeper Look Into Aidan Hutchinson's Contract Extension
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has made it clear — produce and you will be rewarded.
After handing out several extensions to members of his first draft class, Holmes made another blockbuster, long-term commitment to a member of his second in Aidan Hutchinson.
On Wednesday, Hutchinson signed a four-year contract extension that will keep him in Detroit through the 2030 season. He becomes the third member of his draft class to ink a new deal, joining safety Kerby Joseph (four years, $86 million) and wide receiver Jameson Williams (three years, $83 million).
All told, Holmes has now extended seven of his picks from his first two seasons to multi-year contracts.
Hutchinson’s contract reportedly comes with $180 million in new money and four years tacked on to a rookie deal that was set to expire after next season. NFL insider Albert Breer provided a look at the specifics of the money that Hutchinson will make over the duration of his contract.
He will make $15 million in a signing bonus, and have a total of $25 million tacked on to a combined $20 million that he was already set to make over this year and next.
The defender has $29.55 million guaranteed for injury in both 2027 and 2028, and $49.55 million in 2029, with $35.428 million of that guaranteed for injury. Hutchinson also has a significant amount vesting as fully guaranteed over the four years of the contract in March each year.
Hutchinson will have $19.55 million vest as fully guaranteed for 2027 in March of 2026 and $29.55 million vests as fully guaranteed for 2028 in March of 2027. Of his 2029 money, $29 million will vest as fully guaranteed in March of 2028 with $6.428 million vesting as fully guaranteed in March 2029.
Hutchinson is due $42 million in 2030, but that money is not currently guaranteed. That year, he also has a $2.75 million roster bonus.
His deal has four void years tacked on with option bonuses to help spread out the cap hit of his new deal.
Here is a full breakdown of Hutchinson’s contract year-by-year, beginning with next season, with details courtesy of OverTheCap.com.
2026
Base salary: $1,215,000
Guaranteed salary: $29,622,000
Prorated signing bonus: $3,000,000
Prorated option bonus: $5,681,400
Cap number: $10,146400
Regular roster bonus: $0
Per-game roster bonus: $0
Cap percentage: 3.1% (Based on OTC estimates)
Workout bonus: $250,000
2027
Base salary: $1,260,000
Guaranteed salary: $10,000,000
Prorated signing bonus: $3,000,000
Prorated option bonus: $11,339,400
Vesting money: $19.55 million vests as fully guaranteed in March 2026
Cap number: $16,049,400
Regular roster bonus: $0
Per-game roster bonus: $200,000
Cap percentage: 5.2% (Based on OTC estimates)
Workout bonus: $250,000
2028
Base salary: $1,305,000
Prorated signing bonus: $3,000,000
Prorated option bonus: $16,988,400
Vesting money: $29.55 million vests as fully guaranteed in March 2027.
Cap number: $21,743,400
Regular roster bonus: $0
Per-game roster bonus: $200,000
Cap percentage: 5.2% (Based on OTC estimates)
Workout bonus: $250,000
2029
Base salary: $29,550,000
Prorated signing bonus: $3,000,000
Prorated option bonus
Vesting money: $29 million vests as fully guaranteed in March 2028, $6.428 million vests as fully guaranteed in March 2029.
Cap number: $53,988,400
Regular roster bonus: $0
Per-game roster bonus: $200,000
Cap percentage: N/A
Workout bonus: $250,000
2030
Base salary: $22,000,000
Prorated signing bonus: $0
Prorated option bonus: $24,988,400
Cap number:
Regular roster bonus: $2,750,000
Per-game roster bonus: $200,000
Cap percentage: N/A
Workout bonus: $250,000
Void years breakdown
Hutchinson has an additional five void years tacked onto his contract, which is for the purpose of spreading out the overall total of his option bonuses. This also helps to mitigate the cap hit, which is quite hefy as part of the team backloading this deal.
Here is how the remainder of Hutchinson's option bonuses are spread out across five void years, from 2031 to 2035.
2031: $19,307,000
2032: $13,649,000
2033: $8,000,000
2034
2035: $0
It's worth noting that Hutchinson does not carry a cap hit in these void years except for the first, 2031, in which he has a $44,956,000 cap hit.
