Quarterback Mac Jones took note how now-Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold telegraphed his one year as a San Francisco 49ers backup to Brock Purdy into a successful 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a lucrative free-agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks a year later.
Like Darnold, Jones is still trying to overcome the moniker of being a former first-round NFL Draft bust, now serving as Purdy's No. 2 on the Niners depth chart but with the hopes his tenure in the Bay Area eventually resurrects what's otherwise been a disappointing career.
The No. 15 overall pick from the 2021 draft might end up getting that chance sooner than later.
Purdy suffered both toe and shoulder injuries during San Francisco's season-opening win on the road over the Seattle Seahawks, appearing on the injury report a day after the game's conclusion. Then, on Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Purdy was a "long shot" to play in Week 2's road bout against the New Orleans Saints.
It's obviously horrible news for the 49ers, who are already dealing with multiple injuries to key players, including All-Pro tight end George Kittle (hamstring) landing on injured reserve.
For Jones, though, it's potentially a full-circle moment that may just thrust him back into the spotlight.
Mac Jones' chance for redemption might start as soon as Week 2
Darnold saw awfully little field time during his one-year Bay Area stint, but Jones' case could be different if Purdy misses multiple weeks, which Shanahan also said is a possibility.
If that winds up happening, fans may finally see what Jones has to offer the Niners in a meaningful contest. After all, the former Alabama signal-caller was heavily rumored to be Shanahan's preferred choice immediately after San Francisco aggressively traded up to No. 3 overall prior to the 2021 draft.
The 49ers ultimately went with another draft bust, now-Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance, yet the "what if?" questions remained.
One can only wonder how the Niners' trajectory would have gone if Jones had been the pick, and it's also fair to wonder what Jones' own career would have looked like if he landed in a quarterback-friendly system under Shanahan instead of a downward-trending New England Patriots team that was somehow trying to reinvent the dynasty in the wake of quarterback Tom Brady's departure.
Jones' own shortcomings may be magnified by San Francisco's own lack of weaponry, much of which is shelved with injuries in advance of the contest.
That said, the potential for a redemption arc is certainly there, assuming Purdy isn't available, and it's ultimately up to Jones to make the most of it.