In 2021, Trey Lance went third overall to the 49ers, and Mac Jones followed 12 picks later to the Patriots. Lance is a backup with the Chargers, his third team, and Jones is a backup with the 49ers, his third team.

It took Jones four years to end up with the team he thought he should have joined on his draft day.

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“I remember like all the hype leading up to it, but yeah, I think everything happens for a reason,” Jones said on Bussin’ with the Boys, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “Like I’m here where I’m at now, and I did think [they might draft me]. They traded up for somebody, and I knew it was one of two people, and I was one of the people. So, I guess if you’re a gambling man, it’s a 50/50 shot at the start.”

It was unclear who the 49ers wanted to draft that year as they kept their choice under wraps. Jones had no indication what San Francisco was doing until the team selected Lance after trading the 12th overall pick, first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 and a 2022 third-round pick to the Dolphins.

Jones joked that he could have saved the 49ers the draft picks if they had stood pat and selected him.

“You could have just picked me at 12,” Jones said. “I don’t know if I’m worth three first-round picks, but shit, sign me up.”

No one traded for Jones this offseason, so he will remain Brock Purdy‘s backup this season in the final year of his contract.