Mac Jones led the 49ers to a 20–10 win over the Atlanta Falcons Week 7, bringing San Francisco’s record up to 5–2.
Jones finished 17-of-26 for 152 yards with an interception, keeping the offense on track just enough, while All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey racked up 201 total yards and two touchdowns.
It wasn’t a great night statistically for Jones, but it turns out him leading the team to a win triggered a $400,000 incentive in his contract. The incentive was tied to securing his fourth win of the season while playing at least 25% of the Niners’ offensive snaps. He’s now set to collect another $100,000 for every additional win under those same terms.
For a quarterback who was essentially brought in as insurance policy for starter Brock Purdy, it’s a significant bonus — and a reflection of how important he’s been to keeping San Francisco on track.
More on San Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones Getting a Significant Bonus Due to Contract Incentives
GettyMac Jones just earned an extra $400,000 bonus in contract incentives, and will keep earning more with every single win.
Jones’ overall numbers through seven weeks are about what you’d expect from a capable back up. He’s thrown for 1,404 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions, posting a QBR of 55.2 and a passer rating just shy of 90. Since stepping in for Purdy, Jones has gone 4–1 as a starter, with wins over the Saints, Cardinals, Rams and now Falcons. His lone loss came on the road against Tampa Bay in Week 6, but even that game was competitive deep into the fourth quarter.
In a league where backup quarterbacks can often sink a team’s season, Jones has been the difference between treading water and staying close to the top of the NFC standings.
Jones signed a two-year, $7 million deal with the 49ers in the offseason — a contract that includes $5 million guaranteed and keeps him under team control through 2026.
Kyle Shanahan’s Offense Is Helping Jones Grow as a QB
“Every day you’re growing, you’re learning,” Jones said heading into the matchup vs. Atlanta. “In this system it’s a lot. Every game plan’s different and I try to take it day-by-day and each week’s a new week for me, for everybody. And I go out there with a clean slate and know that I have to earn it every day at practice.”
Part of what’s making the Jones-Shanny pairing work is how well Jones’ strengths align with Shanahan’s system. The 27-year-old QB has been accurate on short and intermediate throws, and he has been comfortable sticking to the structure of the offense rather than freelancing. Shanahan’s scheme is built on timing and letting his skill players rack up yards after the catch, and Jones has been leaning on CMC in all the right ways.
“Mac’s a really good quarterback,” Shanahan said after beating the Falcons, via 49ers Webzone. “We thought that before he got here and we’ve thought that since the day he got here. He’s been great in the offseason, great this year in training camp and you guys have seen how good he is been in these games. So, I feel very fortunate to have Mac.”
It remains to be seen with Jones will keep adding any more big chunks of cash to his paycheck, as Purdy is getting closer to returning. Regardless, it looks like San Francisco has found its backup QB for the next few seasons.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Win Over Falcons Just Triggered Huge Contract Bonus for 49ers QB Mac Jones appeared first on Heavy Sports.