NEW ORLEANS — Mac Jones' San Francisco teammates kept mentioning what a luxury it is for the 49ers to have a backup quarterback who exudes the “confidence” and “swagger” of a starter.

It hasn't looked that way for most of Jones' past two seasons with Jacksonville and New England. But it sure did Sunday when Jones was donning a Niners jersey against the rebuilding Saints.

Jones threw for 279 yards and a career-high-tying three touchdowns, and the banged-up 49ers defeated New Orleans 26-21 on Sunday.

“I’ve worked a lot on my mindset this offseason,” Jones said. “The line did a great job blocking for me, and when they do that, I know I can sit in there and let it fly.”

Pressed into service this week because of a toe injury to Brock Purdy, Jones had his best game since Week 1 of the 2023 s

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