Who Should I Start? Mac Jones or Anthony Richardson

Wednesday, March 12, 10:10 PM

Free-agent quarterback Mac Jones agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday on a two-year deal worth $7 million with $5 million guaranteed, a source tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The maximum value of the deal is for $11.5 million. After one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in which he appeared in 10 games (seven starts) due to multiple injuries to starter Trevor Lawrence, Jones will head to the NFC for the first time to back up Brock Purdy in 2025. The 26-year-old looked like a backup in his 10 appearances for the Jags a year ago, completing 65.3% of his 262 pass attempts for 1,672 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. If Jones were forced into significant playing time again in 2025 due to a Purdy injury, he'd at least be set up better with better offensive pieces around him in San Fran.

Wednesday, April 23, 1:16 PM

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is locked in a position battle with Daniel Jones for the starting QB job this offseason, said he worked extensively on "footwork" and "being able to just stay calm in the pocket." The former fourth overall pick in 2023 was benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco in 2024 and has missed considerable time due to injuries in his first two years in the league. The 22-year-old signal-caller has elite rushing ability, but he has posted just a 50.6% career completion rate, which is why the Colts brought in Jones this offseason to push the physically-gifted athlete. The Colts have said they've received encouraging reports on Richardson's progress this offseason, but the proof will be in the pudding of whether he can beat out Jones and stay healthy. In a best-case scenario, Richardson will win the starting gig and be an upside QB2 target in fantasy due to his rushing ability.