Despite being without starting quarterback Brock Purdy for eight of their first 10 games, the San Francisco 49ers are two games above .500 (6-4) and on the bubble in the NFC playoff picture.
Purdy played in San Francisco’s season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks, sat out two weeks with a turf toe injury, returned for the team’s Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he’s been sidelined ever since after reaggravating the injury.
In his absence, Mac Jones — the player 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan reportedly wanted to draft back in 2021 when the team traded three first-round picks to move up to the No. 3 overall pick, where they ultimately took Trey Lance — has played at the Pro Bowl-level he did when he was a rookie with the New England Patriots.
But with just seven more games left in the regular season, and Purdy likely having to shake off some rust once he returns, some have wondered if San Francisco would be better served riding it out with Jones instead of rolling the dice with Purdy.
GettySan Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones
The 49ers lost 42-26 to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10, dropping to third place in the NFC West behind the Rams and Seahawks, who are both tied at the top with 7-2 records, but Jones wasn’t to blame.
In fact, Jones threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns — his third 300-yard game of the year, tied with Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert for the most in the NFL this season — but San Francisco committed seven penalties and the defense surrendered 401 yards to Matthew Stafford and company.
Before Sunday’s loss, the “Fox NFL Sunday” crew asked future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady if he believes the 49ers should stick with Jones, who ranks sixth in the NFL in completion percentage (69.6) and 11th in passing yards (2,151), over Purdy, and his response didn’t disappoint.
“Gee, I wonder why you asked me this question?” Brady joked. “Yeah, listen, you’ve got to go with the hot hand. Yes, you stay with him.
“… I’ve got to believe that’s why I’m still sitting here today because (the Patriots) went with the hot hand about 25 years ago. What do you guys expect me to say?”
GettyFormer New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady
There are very few people more uniquely qualified to speak on the 49ers’ brewing QB problem than Brady himself.
The 48-year-old was in the exact same situation back in 2001 with the Patriots after taking over for Drew Bledsoe, who was injured in Week 2 against the New York Jets.
Brady led New England to an 11-5 record and a win over the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI that year.
Bledsoe landed with the Buffalo Bills the following season. Brady won five more Super Bowls and four Super Bowl MVP awards with the Patriots. His Patriots resume also includes 14 Pro Bowls, five All-Pro selections, three league MVPs, and two Offensive Player of the Year awards.
We got injury updates on Frank Nazar and Jason Dickinson yesterday. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs might be missing their best player when they come to town.
The Chicago Blackhawks are back at the United Center tonight as they host the Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey Devils. Check back in this afternoon for a complete game preview and again late tonight for postgame analysis. Until then, here are some fresh Morning Chirps to hold you over.
Auston Matthews went to the Leafs dressing room after taking this hit from Zadorov pic.twitter.com/MxVL6cyPNH