Insider: “No Question” Who San Francisco 49ers’ Starting Quarterback Is

In the absence of Brock Purdy due to turf toe, the San Francisco 49ers haven’t missed a beat with backup Mac Jones at quarterback. 

In fact, Jones has played better than Purdy to open the season with less talent around him on offense. Even big fans of Purdy can admit that is unequivocally statistically true. 

Many people believe that Jones has created a real quarterback controversy in San Francisco with his play, and that the 49ers may need to reevaluate if he should be the starting quarterback over Purdy. 

But top NFL insider Adam Schefter unequivocally shut those talks down on Monday October 6, 2025. 

“I still think it is absolutely Brock Purdy’s job,” Schefter said on the Pat McAfee show. “I don’t even think it’s a question.” 

Schefter gave Jones plenty of credit for the way he has played, but ultimately sees him as someone who the 49ers will simply plug and play whenever Brock Purdy is out. 

Jones’s Unique Playing Style

Jones’s success with the 49ers is particularly interesting because he is one of, if not the only, true pocket passers left in the NFL. 

Through Weeks 1-4 in 2025, Jones left the pocket at a lesser rate than any other quarterback in the NFL. And when he did, it didn’t end well for him: he got sacked at a very high rate outside of the pocket. 

By comparison, Brock Purdy is not a true dual-threat quarterback like Josh Allen or Kyler Murray, but when he’s playing well, his ability to make throws outside of the pocket and avoid pressure is considered one of his best traits. 

The 49ers offense also often thrives on versatility. Starting running back Christian McCaffrey has been a better receiver this season than runner. They are one of the only teams that employs a fullback (shoutout Kyle Juszczyk). And remember, this was an offense that featured Deebo Samuel as a major rushing threat at one point in time. Shanahan likes versatile offensive threats. 

Back in 2021 Shanahan and the 49ers considered drafting Mac Jones with the No. 3 overall pick, and he was not considered a fit for the 49ers offense then. 

Perhaps everyone underestimated both Kyle Shanahan’s playcalling adaptability and, of course, Jones. 

What Happens When Jones Struggles? 

Brock Purdy’s current injury status is reportedly “week-to-week”.  So it is almost certain that 49ers fans will see Mac Jones start more games this season. 

The 49ers have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL this season. With offensive weapons quickly getting healthy, he could have some even better games in a 49ers uniform. 

But what happens if he reverts back to New England Patriots Mac Jones? What if he throws a couple interceptions and is ineffective in the passing game and the 49ers lose? 

I’ll tell you what will happen. Everyone will clamor for Brock Purdy to be reinserted as the starting quarterback as soon as possible. 

And that’s the underlying point of this whole debate: recency bias. Jones had a good game on Thursday night and now the whole country is talking about him positively. One wrong move and he will be back in the limelight getting torn apart. 

49ers fans would be best equipped to just cheer for whomever San Francisco puts on the field and not get too fired up about a quarterback controversy based on recent results. The 49ers can win with both quarterbacks, and tearing either one of them down helps no one. 

49ers fans, do you think there could eventually be a quarterback controversy in San Francisco?

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