In the NFL, the starting quarterback is the most important player on the field. From calling the plays to keeping the offence in rhythm, they’re the heartbeat of the team. That heartbeat seems to have skipped a beat in San Francisco, where backup quarterback Mac Jones is making his case for the starting job over Brock Purdy.
Following another strong showing by Jones in Thursday’s road win over the Rams, there’s been growing chatter surrounding the quarterback position in the Bay Area. Few would have thought heading into the season that Brock Purdy could lose his starting job, but the NFL has a way of making the impossible a reality on a regular basis.
The 49ers currently sit atop the NFC West with a 4-1 record, but the manner in which San Francisco handles this situation could make or break the rest of their season. As the old football saying goes: “If you have two starting quarterbacks, you really don’t have one.” So, the big question in the Bay Area is: do the 49ers have a quarterback controversy on their hands?
Purdy’s Job to Lose
Brock Purdy has come a long way since first arriving in San Francisco. He’s gone from Mr. Irrelevant as the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to the 49ers’ starting quarterback in a Super Bowl. Purdy took over as the team’s starter late in his rookie season, after injuries to both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo led to the opportunity. He’s held on to the starting job ever since.
Purdy may not have the strongest arm or be the best athlete at the position, but he’s proven to be an effective NFL quarterback. Combining great accuracy with smart decision-making and excellent poise, he’s quietly developed into one of the league’s best passers, even being selected to a Pro Bowl in 2023.
Some may argue that he’s the byproduct of Kyle Shanahan’s quarterback-friendly system in San Francisco, but it’s tough to argue with the results. That includes an impressive run to Super Bowl LVII, where Purdy went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes before falling just short in overtime.
The young signal-caller was rewarded this past offseason, signing a 5-year, $256 million contract extension with the 49ers. This deal, which has $181 million guaranteed, showed the team’s commitment to the young quarterback. It also comes with some elevated expectations for the former seventh-round draft pick.
Purdy began 2025 as San Francisco’s undisputed starter, but staying on the field has been an issue. After leading the 49ers to a Week 1 win over Seattle, he missed the next two games with a toe injury. He returned in Week 4 but played poorly in a loss to the Jaguars and was ruled out once again the following week. Purdy’s currently considered week to week, but there’s no clear timeline for his return.
Mac Jones Shines in Relief
Now playing in his fifth NFL season, it’s fair to say that Mac Jones has underperformed since New England took him in the first round of the 2021 draft out of Alabama. While he had a respectable rookie campaign, guiding the Patriots to a 10-win season and playoff appearance, his play regressed over the next two seasons in Foxborough.
After spending last season backing up Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, Jones signed with San Francisco this offseason to play behind Purdy. Biding his time and waiting for his next opportunity, he was ready when the team turned to him in Week 2 versus the Saints. Jones threw for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns, leading the 49ers to a 26-21 victory in New Orleans. He did the same the following week, helping San Francisco pick up a 16-15 win over the Cardinals.
After Purdy returned in Week 4 and lost to the Jaguars, Mac Jones was once again asked to fill in the following game. This one just happened to be a prime time matchup with the Rams. The backup quarterback delivered a gutsy performance, going 33 of 49 for 342 yards and a pair of touchdown passes as he led the 49ers to a thrilling OT win over Los Angeles.
What It Means for the 49ers
San Francisco is no stranger to quarterback controversies, having successfully navigated from Joe Montana to Steve Young in the early 90s. There’s no question that Mac Jones has been a blessing for the 49ers, keeping their playoff hopes alive while Brock Purdy gets healthy. But does that mean there’s a quarterback controversy in the Bay Area?
As impressive as Jones has been so far this season, the reality is that this is still far from a true quarterback controversy. By signing Purdy to that massive extension, the 49ers committed to him being the team’s leader for the foreseeable future. Having said that, Kyle Shanahan is likely to start the player he feels gives him the best chance to win. Either way you look at it, this is good news for San Francisco. Right now, the team has a solid backup that can step in under center until Purdy is fully healthy. In the long run, Jones’ strong play can be leveraged into a tempting trade package for a quarterback-needy team. Until then, the 49ers can ride the arms of both quarterbacks as they look to make a run at this year’s Super Bowl.