Just when it seems like the San Francisco 49ers have finally figured out their quarterback situation, another twist shakes things up.
Let’s rewind:
- Jimmy Garoppolo led the team to a Super Bowl and came within one missed throw to Emmanuel Sanders of winning it all.
- Then came the big swing: the 49ers traded up to the third overall pick in the draft, widely rumored to target Mac Jones. Instead, they selected Trey Lance. That experiment fizzled out.
- In the following draft, they took Brock Purdy with the very last pick—a move that seemed insignificant until he rattled off six straight wins to close his rookie season. His storybook run was cut short by an elbow injury in the NFC Championship.
- In 2023, Purdy solidified his role as QB1 by leading San Francisco back to the Super Bowl. But 2024 didn’t go as smoothly. The 49ers missed the playoffs, and Purdy finished 6-9 as a starter.
Still, the organization showed faith, signing Purdy to a five-year extension worth $53 million annually in new money.
But in Week 1 of 2025, just as the ink dried on that deal, Purdy got hurt again.
Enter Mac Jones, who had quietly signed a 2-year, $8.41 million contract in the offseason as Purdy’s backup. Jones stepped in, won two games, and looked solid. But as soon as Purdy was cleared to return, he re-injured himself in a loss to the Jaguars.
Once again, Jones took over—and with mostly backups on the field, he led the 49ers to an impressive win against the L.A. Rams.
On the broadcast, Al Michaels raised the possibility of a brewing quarterback controversy. After the game, though, head coach Kyle Shanahan wasn’t asked directly if Purdy or Jones would start going forward. He did, however, deny reports that Purdy’s toe injury would sideline him again.
When asked about Jones specifically, Shanahan said he has always viewed him as a “starting-caliber quarterback.”
“Oh yeah, definitely,” Shanahan confirmed. “Yeah, always have.”
So what now?
Jones has looked tough, composed, and unshaken—even when under pressure. Meanwhile, Purdy is injured again, and the 49ers are suddenly faced with the kind of decision no coach loves: stick with the injured starter you’ve invested in—or ride the hot hand?
The good news for San Francisco is flexibility:
- Jones is on a short-term deal.
- Purdy’s contract isn’t too binding beyond two years.
By the end of the 2026 season, the team will likely have a clearer sense of who their long-term QB should be.
But for now? It’s anything but settled.