Who Should I Start? Mac Jones or Michael Penix Jr.

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.

Monday, June 2, 11:43 PM

The Atlanta Falcons are completely focused on developing former first-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr., according to SI.com's Albert Breer. Last year, the Falcons were locked into having veteran Kirk Cousins under center, but now they are putting their offense together in a way that will best fit Penix. The 25-year-old second-year signal-caller has proven to be an even faster learner than was expected when he was drafted. He has been working to get his footwork synced up, his base widened and his eyes upfield, while coaches also want Penix working to create ways to take advantage of his high-end arm talent. Atlanta added slow-developing, play-action concepts to take advantage of Penix's ability to create explosive plays down the field, and they've also expanded their perimeter passing game. The coaches and players are behind Penix, who will be an attractive QB2 with upside in superflex leagues in 2025.