QB Mac Jones puts a smile on 49ers’ faces, but can he also deliver a Week 2 win? (paywall)
“Niners fullback Kyle Juszczyk said Jones was dancing “24/7” in the locker room throughout spring practices, not long after he met his new teammates after signing a two-year contract in March. His preferred music? None. The man literally grooves to his own beat.
Right tackle Colton McKivitz’s analysis: “He’s definitely smooth.”…. As far as his rapping, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who was Jones’ teammate for
three seasons with the Patriots, recalled how Jones would often freestyle with him in the locker room before games.
“It was one of the funniest things,” Bourne said. “It was just instrumental. So we’d play a beat and then we’d just flow, mess around, say stuff.”
Bourne’s assessment: “He knows the culture. For a white guy, he’s not bad. Not bad at all.”…. Jones said Shanahan is “really funny” and they share a similar humor. Asked about Jones’ personality, Shanahan offered that he is “really cool” and noted his wife, Mandy, assumed he had a good sense of humor based on the fire-engine red suit he wore to last week’s season-opening win at Seattle.
“I don’t think he’s trying to be funny,” Shanahan said. “He’s just got swag. It’s just him. Mac’s himself, makes guys laugh, and he’s got a lot of energy. Our guys have really enjoyed him so far. … Guys play hard for guys that they like. That’s for sure.”
Jones addressed the team after Thursday’s practice. Part of his message: “Walk in your trap, take over your trap.” It’s a rap lyric meant to convey the 49ers’ mission Sunday: Take over the Saints’ home stadium.
Juszczyk smiled as he relayed Jones’ words of wisdom.
“Mac,” he said, “is just a really funny dude.”
What I’m hearing on Tyreek Hill’s future, 49ers’ injury bug and Chiefs’ reset (paywall)
There’s a reason Jones signed this offseason with San Francisco on a two-year deal, even after turning down bigger offers elsewhere. He and Shanahan always had a natural connection, dating back to the 2021 draft cycle. When the 49ers traded up to No. 3 that spring, sources say, it was for Jones. Shanahan has since admitted the two quarterbacks they focused on during that strange Covid year were Trey Lance and Jones.
Ultimately, they chose Lance at No. 3, while Jones slid to New England at No. 15. Rumors swirled afterward that Niners GM John Lynch pushed for Lance while Shanahan wanted Jones. But here’s what’s clear: Shanahan is one of the league’s best coaches. He’s proven he knows how to get the best out of any quarterback. He’s not signing off on a quarterback unless he thinks he can make it work….As one New Orleans defender told me: “Now, with the 49ers, he’s in a way better situation. Just look at the offense — more weapons, better scheme, more support. It’s night and day from Foxboro. Our game plan’s pretty simple: Collapse the pocket, get pressure up the middle. Interior D-line getting their hands up is key. … Force him off his spot, make him uncomfortable, and you’ll see the cracks.”
One last note on the 49ers: While watching Green Bay on Thursday night, a front-office executive from a different team sent me a line that stuck: “This is how you build a young team … they’re the anti-San Francisco.”
Sports Illustrated: Demario Davis’ Christian McCaffrey Take Before Saints-49ers
The New Orleans Saints are just two days away from their second game of the 2025 National Football League regular season.
The Saints are going to be trying their best to stop the playmaker on Sunday, but Saints star Demario Davis gave him his flowers before the showdown.
“Man is just a tough challenge,” Davis said. “Been going against Christian for a long time. When he was in our division, going against him twice per year was a challenge. Then going to an explosive offense like San Francisco really opened things up for him to do a lot of different things. He’s one of the most dynamic backs in the league. He can do it all.
“Of course, being able to carry the ball 20, 25 times per game, but also catch the ball out of the backfield. I think he had a big week last week in the receiving game. Not afraid to throw his helmet in there and block. He is what you would want in a running back if you’re trying to build your offense around your run game. Having a weapon like that, I think he’s one of the top backs in the league and once he gets going, he’s tough to deal with. I think it just takes all 11 guys.
49ers vs. Saints picks: Who do experts like in this Week 2 matchup? (Saints Wire)
Saints 13, 49ers 10
If all things were equal and both teams healthy, I’d take San Francisco by a touchdown. But as things stand we have a healthy 49ers defense paired with a shorthanded offense, lining up against a New Orleans offense which couldn’t find the end zone against a much less-talented Arizona Cardinals defense one week ago. I like the Saints defense going against the 49ers here, and this could be a long day for left tackle Trent Williams, who has lost a step while playing hurt. I see a low-scoring game just like the last time these teams met, but at least now New Orleans has something resembling a strategy to work with offensively. Bold prediction: The Saints pass rush gets five more sacks, with Alontae Taylor bringing Mac Jones down twice to maintain his lead over Micah Parsons as the NFL’s sacks leader in No. 1. — John Sigler
Fantasy Football start/sit recommendations for the 49ers in Week 2 vs. Saints (Niners Wire)
RB Christian McCaffrey: Start
McCaffrey came into Week 1 battling an injury, and he ended up as the third-best running back in fantasy football. His 69 rushing yards on 3.1 yards per attempt and nine receptions for 73 yards brought him to 23.2 points. With Jones in, expect McCaffrey to get a similar workload, if not more as an outlet out of the backfield.
WR Ricky Pearsall: Start
Pearsall looked really good against the Seahawks, catching four passes for 108 yards on seven targets, including a 45-yarder. The offense will be different without Purdy getting him the ball, but as the top receiver, he’ll draw either Kool-Aid McKinstry or old friend Isaac Yiadom as matchups. He should be able to win both.
