The San Francisco 49ers are a team that never has health on its side. While every team sustains injuries, it seems like San Francisco is always losing key players to injuries every season.
One game into the year and that has already happened, as the Niners will be without tight end George Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy in the coming weeks.
While Kittle is a huge part of what San Francisco does offensively, Purdy being sidelined is the bigger story because of his status as QB1. The quarterback is reportedly expected to miss two to five weeks with a type of turf toe issue. That means the 49ers will turn to Mac Jones to be the starter while Purdy gets healthy.
Of course, the 49ers want Jones to play well so the team can remain competitive and win games, but it’s fair to ask if Jones playing extremely well will lead to some drama in San Francisco. If the veteran quarterback stacks some impressive performances together and leads the team to multiple victories, will the Niners have a quarterback controversy on their hands?
Mac Jones could create a quarterback controversy by playing well for 49ers
The immediate reaction to a question like that is "no way." Purdy just signed a five-year extension worth $265 million, and he’s viewed as San Francisco’s franchise quarterback; there’s no way he can be Wally Pipped.
Then, the reality of sports sets in, and in that reality, very few people are actually solidified in their spots.
Purdy knows that best. Mr. Irrelevant of the 2022 NFL Draft, the quarterback found his way into the starting lineup as a rookie because of injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. San Francisco had invested a lot into both, and there was never a thought the seventh rounder would push Lance out the door. However, Purdy took advantage of his opportunity and never gave the keys to the franchise back.
Could Mac Jones do the same? It’s not out the realm of possibility.
Jones is a 2021 first-round pick who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie before the New England Patriots fumbled his development. While he didn’t look great in relief of Trevor Lawrence last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, it’s possible he could thrive in San Francisco. That seems even more likely considering the long-standing belief that Jones was actually the quarterback Kyle Shanahan wanted in the 2021 Draft before the franchise pivoted to Lance.
However, even if Jones does ball out while Purdy is sidelined, it seems unlikely Purdy wouldn’t be inserted back into the starting lineup the second he’s healthy. The controversy, though, could come in the aftermath of Purdy returning as the starter. If he struggles at all, and the offense appears to have taken a step back from when Jones was under center, there will surely be calls for Jones to be put back in the lineup.