The NFL world once again surged after Erin Andrews posed a bold doubt on television broadcast: “Has the time come for the San Francisco 49ers to step out of Brock Purdy’s shadow?”
– and right after that, she affirmed: “Mac Jones could be the answer the 49ers are looking for.” That statement immediately divided public opinion, between those loyal to Purdy and those who believe the handover moment has begun in the Bay Area.
After Brock Purdy suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 and had to sit out most of the season, the 49ers handed over the leadership of the offense to Mac Jones, who just joined the team in early October. Since taking the starting position, Jones has helped San Francisco achieve a 6–4 record, secure three consecutive wins and breathe new life into Head Coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Faced with the controversial comments, Mac Jones chose a calm way to respond instead of reacting harshly. “I am not here to replace anyone,” he said after practice at Levi’s Stadium.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan also quickly expressed his view when asked about the “Purdy – Jones debate”: “Both are wonderful men and professional role models. We do not choose between them – we choose to win together.”
This statement received strong agreement from fans, who have always been proud of the 49ers’ “team over individual” culture.
Although the media tried to turn it into a competition between two eras, the truth remains very clear in Santa Clara: Brock Purdy is the one who started this journey, and Mac Jones is continuing to write it. With team spirit and mutual respect, the 49ers are not just regaining form – they are showing the entire NFL that the true mettle of a champion does not lie in the name on the jersey, but in the symbol on the left chest.
Despite playing most of the season without several star players including quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, receiver Ricky Pearsall, and defensive end Nick Bosa, the San Francisco 49ers have a respectable 6-4 record and are just one game behind the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West division lead.
The injury-ravaged 49ers have been hit particularly hard on offense with injuries to two QBs, a running back, five different WRs, a tight end, and two offensive linemen.
Aside from losing Bosa and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner to season-ending injuries, the roughest part of the 49ers’ season just may be the fact that WR Brandon Aiyuk still hasn’t played a snap.
The 27-year-old is still recovering from torn ACL and MCL injuries suffered in Week 7 of last season against the Kansas City Chiefs.
49ers general manager John Lynch initially told reporters during the preseason that he expected Aiyuk to be back by Week 7 of the regular season. But days before the team’s Week 11 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, Lynch dropped a not-so-promising update on the All-Pro wideout.
“That’s not the intention, the intention is to get Brandon back,” Lynch told KNBR when asked if this season would be a redshirt year for Aiyuk. “We’re not there yet, we just got to get him to a place where we’re comfortable opening that window, and see if he can make it back on the field. That is the intention. But we’ll see, no absolutes there.”
. @MarkusBoucher: “Is there a scenario where you guys play it out like a redshirt year for Brandon Aiyuk?”
John Lynch: “That’s not the intention, the intention is to get Brandon back. We’re not there yet, we just gotta get him to a place where we’re comfortable opening that
Aiyuk has been practicing with the team for weeks, but he reportedly needed more time than the team initially believed for his ACL to fully heal.
When healthy, Aiyuk is arguably one of the NFL’s 10 best wide receivers. He posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, totaling 75 or more catches and seven or more touchdowns both years.
But without the dynamic receiver, the 49ers’ WR corps leaves much to be desired.
Pearsall, the team’s first-round pick last season, has missed six games due to injuries and logged just 20 catches for 327 yards. Jauan Jennings, who signed a two-year, $15.4 million contract extension during the offseason, has also missed two games with injuries. He has just 28 catches for 324 yards and three touchdowns.
GettySan Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey leads the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns
Though the 49ers lead the NFL in receptions (249) and receiving yards (2,737), the bulk of that production has come from running backs and tight ends.
In fact, 60% of San Francisco’s receptions and 49% of its receiving yards have come from Christian McCaffrey, Kittle, Jake Tonges, Kyle Juszczyk, Luke Farrell, and Brian Robinson Jr. — further emphasizing Aiyuk’s importance to the passing game.
McCaffrey, a running back, leads the team in every receiving category including receptions (69), targets (90), receiving yards (692), and touchdowns (4). The 49ers’ leading WR is Kendrick Bourne (31 catches, 482 yards), and he didn’t join the team until Week 2.
Aside from McCaffrey, the 49ers don’t have a receiver who ranks in the top 35 in the NFL in receiving yards or the top 60 in receptions.