Who Should I Start? Mac Jones or C.J. Stroud

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.

Saturday, January 18, 7:36 PM

Quarterback C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans spent most of the Divisional Round under pressure, completing 19 of 28 passing attempts for 245 yards with neither a touchdown or a turnover in his team's season-ending defeat at Kansas City on Saturday. The Chiefs were able to get the best of Houston's offensive line, sacking the sophomore quarterback eight times and impacting a number of other throws as Houston managed only one touchdown. Though he limped off late in the game, Stroud did re-enter for the final drive. It was a largely disappointing year fantasy-wise for last season's Rookie of the Year, but he has now led Houston to a division title and a Wild Card victory in both of his first two seasons. Houston's offense goes into the offseason with needs on the offensive line and for a No. 2 receiver, as Tank Dell (knee) could be unavailable through 2025 and Stefon Diggs is a free agent.