The San Francisco 49ers have endured quite a few key accidents this season, however nonetheless discover themselves in playoff competition because of the stable quarterback play from Mac Jones.
Jones has began seven of the 9 video games instead of beginning QB Brock Purdy, who has been sidelined with a turf toe harm. Extensive receiver Brandon Aiyuk (proper knee) has missed each recreation thus far and tight finish George Kittle (proper hamstring) has solely appeared in 4 video games.
Regardless of that, Jones has excelled with comparatively unproven receivers at his disposal, which is why former NFL QB and present ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes there’s a QB competitors heating up within the Bay Space.
Dan Orlovsky likes what he’s seeing from Mac Jones
“Mac Jones has been completely sensational in his time, doing it with folks which have been beat up, stars and perimeter gamers that have not been wholesome,” Orlovsky mentioned. “He is been knocked round, but this staff by some means, even with all these accidents, continues to be within the playoff race and it is due to the quarterback play. There is a quarterback controversy brewing in San Francisco.”
In seven begins to simply two for Purdy, Jones has a greater completion proportion (67.2%) and has 1,832 passing yards for 10 TDs. His 5 interceptions and 16 sacks are definitely regarding, however that may be a stable stat line for a QB that inherited a banged-up receiving corps.
Operating again Christian McCaffrey (626 yards, 4 TDs) leads the staff in receiving yards, however different gamers have stepped up. Kendrick Bourne (463 yards) leads the receiving group in yards with second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall (327 yards) shut behind. Even unlikely heroes like TEs Jake Tonges (4 TDs) and Luke Farrell (one TD) have turn into choices for Jones down the sphere.
The protection has additionally skilled its share of notable accidents, together with defensive finish Nick Bosa (torn proper ACL) and linebacker Fred Warner (proper ankle), who’re each on injured reserve. Regardless of the depleted roster, San Francisco nonetheless finds itself within the thick of the playoff race at 6-3.
Contemplating Purdy signed a five-year, $265M contract extension within the offseason, it’s onerous to think about the beginning function not being his when he returns. Though he has 4 interceptions in his two begins, he additionally threw two TDs in each video games and has accounted for a minimum of 3,800 move yards and 20 TDs in every of his two full-time seasons as beginning QB.
If something, the 49ers are recognizing Jones’ stable play on the sphere and the way it should purchase Purdy some extra time to get wholesome. If San Francisco was struggling or falling out of the playoff race, maybe Purdy can be thrown again into the combination, however with the success it could proceed to have with Jones, there’s actually no motive to hurry Purdy again if he’s nonetheless the QB1 in its thoughts.
Previous to the harm, this was clearly Purdy’s job or the 49ers wouldn’t have signed him to a significant extension. Nonetheless, Jones has been unbelievable in his absence and confirmed that he is usually a dependable QB, even with a principally unproven group of gamers to get the ball to.
