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If I had advised you again in 2021 that, say, the Steelers would start the 2025 season with Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey on the roster, you in all probability would not have the ability to dream up the situations that landed all of them in Pittsburgh.
You may even be somewhat stunned to search out out that Daniel Jones could be 2-0 because the Colts starter after (not surprisingly) being run out of New York. What wouldn’t shock you in any respect, not even somewhat bit, could be studying that the 49ers signed Mac Jones forward of the 2025 season (although the half about Jones being Brock Purdy’s major backup may trigger some puzzled appears to be like).
It looks as if a lifetime in the past now, however on March 26, 2021 (because the Zach Wilson professional day was happening!), the 49ers traded up from No. 12 to No. 3 and the traditional knowledge was that if Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers have been going to maneuver up for a QB, it might be somebody extra within the mildew of Kirk Cousins than Robert Griffin III (to maintain the 2012 Washington draft theme going).
Bear in mind, as CBS Sports activities’ John Breech wrote in September 2023, Shanahan wished to convey Cousins to San Francisco in 2017, and supplied the crew’s No. 2 general decide, however Washington wasn’t . Why did Shanahan like Cousins a lot? He is an ideal processor, routinely will get into the appropriate performs, makes the appropriate reads, and the ball goes the place it is imagined to. He is not a high-end athlete, and would not have an ideal arm, however in Shanahan’s system, that is not a necessity.
And should you have been to line up all of the first-round quarterbacks from the 2021 class — Trevor Lawrence, Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Jones — solely a type of names could be comped to Cousins. In fact, the 49ers zigged once we all thought they might zag, they took Lance at No. 3, and he began 4 video games in two seasons earlier than being traded to Dallas. He was a backup there for 2 seasons, and now serves as Justin Herbert’s backup in Los Angeles.
Within the lead-up to the ’21 draft, the 49ers favored Lance’s athleticism and outside-the-pocket playmaking capability sufficient to again seat what Shanahan had historically seemed for in his QBs. It did not work out, although in a world of Josh Allens, Lamar Jacksons, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, I get it. Fortunately, the 49ers took Brock Purdy with the final decide within the 2022 NFL Draft, and this summer season, the crew signed him to a five-year deal that averages $53 million yearly.
Purdy, in case you are simply again from the moon, is nearer to Cousins or Jones than Lance, as an NFL quarterback. And after Purdy suffered a toe damage and an damage to his non-throwing shoulder within the Week 1 win over the Seahawks that might sideline him for at the least one recreation (and perhaps as much as a month), Jones would get his probability to shine in Shanahan’s system.
On Sunday, Jones seemed extra like Alabama Mac, the one which was the Fifteenth-overall decide of the Patriots within the 2021, than the now-journeyman quarterback who, save a promising rookie season, has been stricken by some haphazard teaching and plenty of forgettable performances.
Previous to his Week 2 begin on the street in New Orleans, Jones had a 20-29 document with the Patriots and Jaguars. He accomplished 66% of his throws with 54 touchdowns, 44 interceptions and misplaced 9 fumbles. In opposition to the Saints, Jones was a tidy 26 of 39 for 279 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions (although he did lose a fumble early within the third quarter). He did it with out George Kittle, and Kyle Juszczyk left within the first half with a concussion.
Within the brief time period, Jones seemed lots like each different profitable “Shanahan QB” that preceded him for all the explanations I outlined above. Even with a median run recreation in New Orleans, in Week 2, the 49ers offense ranked sixth in performs per drive and common beginning discipline place, scored each time they bought into the crimson zone, and transformed 53% of their third downs (that was good for third).
Jones bought off to a rocky begin — the offense went three-and-out and he missed on his first 4 cross makes an attempt — however he settled down by the second drive and we noticed little or no of the frenetic pocket presence and poor decision-making that nearly felt like his calling card throughout his ultimate days in New England. As a substitute, we have been all handled to third-down dots-for-six to Christian McCaffrey simply earlier than halftime:
Then, early within the fourth quarter — and one more third down — Jones layers this second-level throw to Jauan Jennings for an additional rating:
Jones turned a punchline in recent times, with of us forgetting that he was a first-round decide who started his NFL profession by profitable 5 straight street video games! And earlier than that, he helped Alabama win a nationwide title. How good was he in faculty? In the course of the pre-draft course of, each Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith — who performed with Jones and Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama — mentioned they most well-liked Jones at quarterback.
When Jones is taking part in with confidence, he can get crimson scorching, and we noticed glimpses of that on Sunday. Now the query turns into if he can maintain down the fort in Purdy’s absence. Shanahan hinted after the sport that “there’s an opportunity” Purdy performs in Week 3 towards the Cardinals, however added “we bought to see how the toe goes. It is very as much as debate. So we’re simply taking it a day at a time.”
Within the meantime, nobody in that constructing appears frightened about rolling with Jones.
After a sluggish first collection, Jones hit Ricky Pearsall on third-and-long to maneuver the sticks and that prompted this pep speak from left sort out Trent Williams.
“Trent simply got here as much as me and was similar to, ‘Go hoop, dude. Simply go make performs,'” Jones mentioned after the sport, in keeping with the San Francisco Chronicle. “I used to be like, ‘Alright, if Trent Williams says that to me, I’ve bought to go do it.’ In order that type of simply bought me calmed down somewhat bit.”
Second-year offensive proper guard, Dominick Puni had extra reward for his quarterback:
“I used to be fascinated about that earlier than this recreation, ‘I am glad we’ve Mac Jones,'” Puni mentioned. “(Purdy) is an incredible quarterback. If you are going to have a backup, Mac Jones is hell of an possibility.”
Each spring, I spend plenty of time stressing “match issues” when speaking in regards to the quarterback draft class. Does Bo Nix have the success he had as a rookie if he isn’t taking part in for Sean Payton? What about Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury? Hell, if the listing is lengthy sufficient, we might even embrace Jones and Josh McDaniel. Alternatively, would Lawrence be additional alongside in his growth if he did not have the City Meyer expertise in Yr 1? And look how Kevin O’Connell helped salvage Sam Darnold’s profession — the Vikings went 14-3 final season! With Darnold beneath middle! He parlayed his ’24 efficiency right into a three-year, $100 million deal from the Seahawks.
Look, who is aware of what the long run holds for Jones, or if he’ll ever get one other probability to be a full-time starter within the league. For now, he reminded us all that he can play at a excessive stage. Is it sustainable? With Shanahan working as puppet grasp, it certain feels prefer it, whether or not it is for every week, a month or longer.
“Kyle clearly has an ideal recreation plan each week and he has a plan and it is our job to execute it,” Jones mentioned. “And there is going to be lots to wash up, however you by no means take these without any consideration within the NFL.”
Match issues. Simply ask Brock Purdy.
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