Wouldn't that be something if Mac Jones becomes QB1 this offseason amid a would-be Brock Purdy contract holdout?
There's no clear-cut evidence or quote saying former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones was the prospect San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan wanted all along way back in the 2021 NFL Draft.
But, there was plenty of smoke leading to a potential fire there.
Of course, that never ended up actually happening. At least back then. However, Shanahan finally has his guy (if that was ultimately the case) with Jones signing a two-year free-agent deal to join the Niners and serve as QB2 behind Brock Purdy.
Jones seems much more the archetypal signal-caller in a Shanahan system, and there's an argument the former is a better-quality backup than the two San Francisco had in 2024, Brandon Allen and Joshua Dobbs.
That's important. Yet there could be a dramatic and provocative development this offseason, should a potential course of events pan out.
49ers could turn to Mac Jones if Brock Purdy holds out
Paralleling what's been a tumultuous offseason for the 49ers thus far is Purdy's own contract-extension talk.
Nothing is imminent. And while the quarterback stressed a drama-free process, the Niners are no strangers to players holding out to get what they want. In light of San Francisco's desire to pinch pennies heading into 2025, a possible Purdy holdout isn't off the table.
Should the extension talks come to that, well... you know what's next.
Jones becomes the de facto offseason QB1, getting all those valuable first-team reps with Shanahan watching closely. Plus, with the former New England Patriot and Jacksonville Jaguar inking a two-year deal, there's going to be the notion of Jones being a Purdy "insurance policy" if things go so poorly in contract discussions that San Francisco wholly backs out, opening the door to Purdy walking in 2026 when his current deal expires.
While inconceivable at the moment, the 49ers' recent moves and departures to kick off the 2025 league new year suggest a cliche-like "anything is possible."
Purdy and the Niners are nowhere close to that point yet, of course. But there is a relatively soon scenario where Jones is the interim "guy" if San Francisco's starter opts to hold out.
Isn't it ironic?
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