The persistence of the Mac Jones to the 49ers rumors will not cease. Fans of the team are really on edge as we approach the draft, rightfully so. Them drafting Jones over Fields and Lance would bring the fans a great number of horrible flashbacks. For this, let’s look back at the 2005 NFL Draft.
The 49ers picked number 1 that year and were set to take be able to take an awesome QB. But the choice wasn’t entirely clear as there were two options. Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. Smith, while athletic, was seen as the safer pick. He was seen as the “high floor” guy. Rodgers was oozing with talent and potential, but there were questions.
“With the 1st pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Alex Smith, Quarterback, Utah” was what was read on draft night. The 49ers had rejected the guy with way more potential and a guy from California and even played at Cal.
It was not seen as an overly popular move in some circles and the fan base wasn’t fully on board. A lot of people wanted Rodgers, who somehow fell all the way to 24. Rodgers was asked after if he was upset to not be picked by the 49ers and he said “not as upset as they’ll be that they didn’t draft me.” He was right, and that very quote still haunts the fanbase to this day as Rodgers will have a gold jacket waiting for him as soon as he is eligible. No disrespect for Smith as I really like him and have nothing but respect for him, but he didn’t really pan out for the 49ers. Had a little stretch where he was decent, but then he got replaced by Kaepernick and then dealt to the Chiefs. He carved out a decent career for himself, but his days in San Francisco weren’t great overall, and they passed on the guy who became great.
Mac Jones over Fields and Lance could have a similar feel. Drafting Smith over Rodgers has often been seen as the very moment where the organization was truly lost back then. It finally looks like they are regaining it, but it’s not there yet, and drafting Jones would have potential to lose the franchise again.
It would also bring back another smaller flashback, one from more recently. That being them passing on Mahomes and Watson in 2017. The reason behind it was because they didn’t want to develop a rookie with a bad roster and risk stunting their growth. It’s a valid reason, but passing on those two still does leave a mark, especially after it was found out later that Shanahan only had eyes for Beathard in that draft, a guy he unnecessarily traded up for to grab in round 3 because it reminded him of Kirk Cousins.
Passing on Fields and Lance would feel very similar to that. Shanahan would have, at that point, passed on way too many uber-talented QB prospects to get guys who remind him of Kirk Cousins. This is a reality that 49ers fans don’t want to live in. It’s a nightmare, as has many of their QB decisions over the last two decades.
49ers fans have every right to be weary of this given the screw ups of the past with passing on talented guys for less talented guys at the position. Quarterback has been the big problem for the team and their production in that area has been amongst the worst the league for a long time. I can certainly see why 49ers fans would want to barf if they take Jones. It would just feel like another terrible screw up that reminds them of the screw ups of the past.
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