49ers’ Mac Jones Might Repeat Tom Brady-Drew Bledsoe Situation
Don’t look now, but former New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is thriving with the San Francisco 49ers. Jones has burst onto the scene as San Francisco’s starter, guiding the team to back-to-back victories while Brock Purdy recovers from a shoulder and toe injury.
On Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, Jones went 27-for-41, amassing 284 yards, one touchdown and one interception, posting an 83.8 rating in a gritty 16-15 win. Overall, he’s thrown for 563 yards this season on 53-of-80 attempts (66.3 percent completion rate), with four touchdowns against just one pick, averaging 7.0 yards per attempt and earning a cumulative 98.1 rating. These figures have helped propel the 49ers to a 3-0 overall record, showcasing Jones’ ability to manage games and make key throws, like his 34-yard dime to Ricky Pearsall against Arizona.
In Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints, Jones completed 26 of 39 passes for 279 yards, tossing three touchdowns with zero interceptions for a sparkling 113.1 passer rating.
With Purdy sidelined since Week 1, Jones has seized this opportunity with both hands, demonstrating the preparation and maturity that made him a first-round pick out of Alabama. Acquired by the 49ers in a trade earlier this offseason, he’s integrated seamlessly into Kyle Shanahan’s offense. His quick decision-making and accuracy have minimized mistakes, turning what could have been a setback for the team into a surge of momentum.
Could 49ers stick with Jones over Purdy?
NFL history shows that certain teams often ride the “hot hand” at quarterback, prioritizing immediate success over long-term loyalties when a backup suddenly looks unstoppable. We’ve seen this play out before, where a temporary fill-in becomes indispensable through consistent wins. If Jones maintains this level—piling up victories and solid stats—it’ll create real pressure on the 49ers to stick with him, even once Purdy is healthy.
Jones’ hot streak suddenly has fans wondering if he could outright supplant Purdy as the starter, mirroring the iconic shift when Tom Brady took over for an injured Drew Bledsoe with the New England Patriots in 2001.
Like Purdy, Bledsoe was established; he had already been to a Super Bowl (and lost), much like Purdy has done.
None of that mattered to the Patriots, though, because Brady couldn’t stop losing. The rest is history, of course. Brady’s emergence led to a dynasty, proving how one injury can reshape a franchise.
Jones’ current form suggests the 49ers might not rush to bench a quarterback who’s delivering results right now. The next couple of weeks will be fascinating to watch unfold in San Francisco.