Introduction
Mac Jones’s story unfolds as a compelling mix of professional ambition, emotional moments, and surprising anecdotes. Born Michael McCorkle Jones on September 5, 1998, in Jacksonville, Florida, he rose to stardom as an Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, setting numerous NCAA records before entering the NFL. The multi-faceted narrative of Jones spans from his draft experience and starting role, to touching scenes with his mother, to an eyebrow-raising “cigar” anecdote that has surfaced online. In this article, we’ll explore:
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When Mac Jones was drafted
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Whether he is a starting QB currently
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Emotional moments — especially involving his mom
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The curious cigar story
By the end, you’ll have a richer understanding of both his on-field journey and the human moments that define his narrative. We’ve crafted this piece for optimal SEO alignment with the focus keyphrase “Mac Jones drafted, starting, crying, mom, cigar” and structured the content to deliver clarity, depth, and storytelling.
1. When Was Mac Jones Drafted?
Jones’s entry into the NFL began with a surprising turn of events during the 2021 NFL Draft. Although many projected the San Francisco 49ers might select him at No. 3, they instead chose Trey Lance, leaving Mac Jones to slide to the New England Patriots, who picked him 15th overall in Round 1. This decision made Jones the first quarterback drafted by the Patriots in the first round since Drew Bledsoe in 1993.
His rookie contract included a fully guaranteed deal worth about $15.6 million. He was immediately named the Patriots’ starting quarterback ahead of Cam Newton, becoming the first rookie QB to start in Week 1 since Bledsoe.
2. Is Mac Jones a Starting QB?
Initially, yes — Mac Jones started his NFL tenure as New England’s main quarterback in 2021. In his debut, he completed 29 of 39 passes for 281 yards, setting an NFL rookie debut completion percentage record (74.4 %). His 2021 season was impressive: over 3,800 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and leading the Patriots back to the playoffs earning him Pro Bowl alternate status and All-Rookie honors.
However, the trajectory shifted in subsequent seasons. A series of coaching changes undermined offensive consistency, and his production dipped — in 2022 and 2023, his numbers declined and he ultimately lost his starting position.
By 2024, he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served primarily as a backup, making only a handful of starts with mixed results. In March 2025, Jones signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a backup to Brock Purdy, meaning he is currently not the primary starter.
So to summarize:
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2021: Starting QB for the Patriots (rookie season).
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2022–2023: Gradually lost starting role, benched mid-2023.
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2024: Backup with Jacksonville, occasional starts.
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2025: Signed by 49ers as a backup — currently not the starting QB.
3. Crying, Mom, Emotional Moments
While specific widely recognized stories of Mac Jones crying publicly are scarce, the emotional dimension of his journey often centers on his support system — especially his family and mother. Born to Gordon and Holly Jones, Mac’s upbringing in Jacksonville and family environment rooted him in discipline and hard work.
During his meteoric college career, moments off the field — such as graduation or personal triumphs — likely brought emotional scenes with his parents. For example, Mac’s academic achievements at Alabama, where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree with a 4.0 GPA, would have been proud and emotional moments for his family.
While there is no verified mainstream anecdote of Mac Jones literally crying on camera or with his mom — sometimes fans emotionally react to his successes (e.g., “Patriots Fans Crying With Joy Over Mac Jones Pick!!!” on YouTube). Those fan reactions hint at the emotional weight he carried for fans and those close to him.
4. “Cigar” Story — What’s That About?
There appears to be no widely documented or credible report linking Mac Jones directly to cigars. No mainstream news or reliable source references a cigar-related incident or hobby that stands out. The “cigar” in the title may allude to a rumor, meme, or misinterpreted social media anecdote rather than a substantive or verified story.
A thorough scan of available credible sources, including his Wikipedia page and major sports news, yields no mention of Mac Jones and cigars. Therefore, it’s best understood as possibly a prompt-based or fan-created element rather than a factually backed event.
5. Summary Table
| Topic | Key Highlights |
|---|---|
| Drafted | 2021, Round 1, Pick 15 by New England Patriots; initially projected higher |
| Starting Role | Starting QB in 2021; regressed and lost role in 2022–2023; backup in 2024–2025 |
| Emotional Moments | No official “crying” story, but family-support context emotionally compelling |
| Cigar Anecdote | No verified information — likely rumor or misinterpretation |
FAQs
1. When was Mac Jones drafted and by whom?
He was drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 15th overall pick by the New England Patriots.
2. Is Mac Jones currently a starting quarterback?
No. After starting for the Patriots in 2021, he lost the starting role by 2023, spent 2024 with Jacksonville as a backup, and signed with the 49ers in 2025 as a backup.
3. Has Mac Jones ever cried publicly or in emotional moments involving his mother?
There’s no public record or mainstream coverage of Mac Jones visibly crying with his mother. Emotional moments may exist privately, but they aren’t documented in major media.
4. Is there any notable “cigar” story associated with him?
No credible sources link Mac Jones to cigars or any cigar-related incident. This likely stems from an unfounded rumor or fan-created content.
5. What are Mac Jones’s notable accomplishments?
In college, he won the National Championship, earned multiple awards (Davey O’Brien, Mannning, etc.), and set NCAA records for passer rating and completion percentage in 2020. In the NFL, he made Pro Bowl and All-Rookie Team honors in 2021.
Conclusion
Mac Jones’s journey—from his Alabama exploits to the NFL draft, starting as a rookie sensation, navigating setbacks, and now serving as a backup with the 49ers—offers a vivid portrait of resilience and adaptation. While there are no prominent public stories of tearful moments with his mother, the emotional undercurrents of his rise and struggles implicitly speak to familial support and personal challenges.
The “cigar” angle appears to lack factual foundation but underscores how narratives sometimes emerge from speculation. For fans and readers, the most compelling parts of his story remain firmly rooted in his on-field talent, academic excellence, and navigation of the highly competitive world of the NFL.
