The 49ers got top-shelf quarterback production against zone coverage in 2025, and it came from both Brock Purdy and Mac Jones.
According to a chart from FTN Fantasy measuring defense-adjusted Value over average against zone defense, San Francisco had two quarterbacks finish inside the NFL’s top four. Jones ranked third at 25.7% DVOA against zone looks, while Purdy was right behind him in fourth at 25.4% among quarterbacks with at least 75 attempts. Only Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (34.5%) and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (29.1%) finished ahead of them.
That kind of success against zone fits the way both passers operated all season. Zone defense asks a quarterback to read leverage, trust timing and hit openings before they disappear, and Jones and Purdy both showed they could find those windows and deliver the ball quickly.
Jones was pushed into a bigger role because of multiple Purdy injuries in 2025, and he made the most of it. In eight games, he completed 201 of 289 passes for a 69.6% completion rate, threw for 2,151 yards and finished with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. His on-target rate was 79.1%.
Purdy’s nine-start sample was even more efficient. He completed 197 of 284 passes for a 69.4% completion rate, and his 82.2% on-target rate was the best among all qualifying passers in the accuracy data. He also posted 2,167 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
With Purdy back in the lead role and Jones showing he can handle extended duty, the 49ers’ quarterback situation looks far steadier than it has in years. The numbers against zone coverage back that up, with both passers grading out among the league’s best against one of football’s most common defensive looks.
It doesn’t hurt that the 49ers should have a full stable of pass-catchers between Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, Ricky Pearsall, rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight ends George Kittle and Jake Tonges.
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