Mac Jones' stellar play could be stirring up a QB controversy for the 49ers

Mac Jones has gone 3-0 as the 49ers' starting QB in relief of an injured Brock Purdy, raising some uncomfortable questions in San Francisco about who the starter should be going forward.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Mac Jones did it again. He led a shorthanded 49ers team to a win over the Rams on Thursday night that secures first-place in the NFC West for San Francisco through five weeks.

It was the third start of the season for Jones in relief of an injured Brock Purdy, and he's now gone 3-0 in those starts. He has looked every bit of a capable NFL starter, which Alabama fans have known all along. A poor situation in New England stunted his development, but finally receiving competent coaching with the 49ers is bringing out the best in the former Crimson Tide star.

Jones, while far from 100% healthy himself, threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns in San Fran's 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on the road.

Jones started in wins over the Saints and Cardinals in Weeks 2 and 3. Purdy returned last week for a home loss against the Jaguars, but couldn't go on the short week with a toe injury, leading Kyle Shanahan to turn to Jones, who continued his stellar play.

Jones' 65.3 QBR is good for 10th in the league. His numbers side-by-side with Purdy's forces an uncomfortable conversation for the 49ers moving forward:

Jones: 66.7 CMP%, 905 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT, 99.1 RTG
Purdy: 65.8 CMP% 586 yards, 4 TD, 4 INT, 85.8 RTG

Jones is taking care of the football better than Purdy, and the offense is humming along, even with a plethora of injuries. Jones has done exactly what the 49ers brought him in for. They wanted a reliable backup QB to keep things afloat when Purdy inevitably got hurt again. They're dealing with the same injury issues they had a year ago, but the difference has been that Jones has played at a high level, and the 49ers are 4-1 as a result.

Mac Jones has proven he's a starting QB in the NFL

Whether or not there's a genuine QB controversy in San Francisco or not, Jones has proven he's a starting QB in this league. For the first time in his NFL career, he has good coaching. And he's thriving.

The 49ers have $265 million invested in Purdy as the franchise QB. That's why he's likely to hang on to his starting job. That doesn't mean they may not have buyer's remorse, however, as Jones is a much cheaper, and equally effective, option.

Jones himself downplayed any QB controversy after the game. He was as humble as he has always been.

“They brought me here to play as a backup and that’s my job," Jones told reporters after the game. "Brock’s the starter of this team. Right now, he’s dealing with something, and for him to go out last week and play when you probably know he’s not at full health shows a lot. I’m just trying to get some wins for this team so it helps us down the line.”

Whether or not the opportunity comes with the 49ers or somewhere else, the NFL is taking notice of how good Jones is playing. His days as a starter aren't over yet. He's earning himself another opportunity.

Hopefully, he'll choose wisely on where that is when the time comes, knowing the value of proper coaching and development.

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