Copyright Newsweek
It’s been widely reported that when the San Francisco 49ers traded a boatload of picks to move up to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft that it was because head coach Kyle Shanahan wanted to draft Mac Jones. Instead, the team went with gunslinger Trey Lance and Jones ended up being a Pro Bowler with the New England Patriots as a rookie, but four years later, Jones is the 49ers’ starting quarterback while Brock Purdy nurses a turf toe injury and Lance is backing up Justin Herbert with the Chargers. Because of Shanahan’s well-noted affinity for Jones, some have wondered if Purdy has to worry about losing his job to the 26-year-old Alabama alum given how well the team has played in Jones’ starts this season. San Francisco is 5-2 in games Jones starts this season, and the offense hasn’t seen much of a drop off — 19 points per game, 386.5 yard per game under Purdy; 22.3 points per game, 359.9 yards per game under Jones — which is why ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky believes there’s a chance Purdy could lose his job if Jones keeps playing like he has. More Football: Sports Doctor Has Promising Prediction on Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ Injury More Football: Jets Rejected Only Team That Met Asking Price for DE Jermaine Johnson “There is a brewing quarterback controversy, competition — whatever you want [to call it] in San Francisco,” Orlovsky said on “Get Up.” “Brock Purdy [is] a really good player; Mac Jones has been absolutely sensational in his time (this season). “[He’s] doing it with people who have been beat up, star and perimeter player who haven’t been healthy, he’s been knocked around, yet this team somehow, even with all those injuries, is still in the playoff race — and it is because of the quarterback play. There is a quarterback controversy brewing in San Francisco.” More Football: Packers Add Tucker Kraft Replacement After Striking Out on Major Trade ESPN’s Adam Schefter pushed back on Orlovsky’s declaration, noting that Jones has “opened a lot of eyes” in relief of Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million contract extension during the offseason, but he stated because of that contract, Purdy’s job is safe. Jones has completed 67.2% of his passes this season for 1,832 yards (261.7 per game), 10 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 93.6 passer rating. Many expect Jones to be in contention or a starting job elsewhere next season, including Orlovsky, if he doesn’t usurp Purdy. “There’s going to be seven or eight teams that are looking for starting quarterback next year [that could call about a trade],” Orlovsky said. “He’s absolutely proven to be one of the best 32 quarterbacks on the planet.”
