Brock Purdy’s Bounce-Back: How Mac Jones Helped Spark the 49ers’ QB Room
After a rough outing that saw Brock Purdy throw three interceptions in a win over Carolina, the 49ers’ young quarterback found himself at a bit of a crossroads. The team came away with the W, but it was clear: San Francisco carried Purdy that day, not the other way around. And in today’s NFL, especially when you're the face of a franchise with a massive extension in your back pocket, that kind of performance draws attention - and not the good kind.
But what came next wasn’t a quarterback retreating into his shell. It was a quarterback rediscovering his rhythm - and maybe even a little swagger.
In Sunday’s 26-8 win over the Browns, Purdy didn’t just manage the game - he danced through it, literally. After a 2-yard touchdown run, he broke out “The Dougie,” a playful celebration that marked a noticeable shift in his demeanor.
It wasn’t just about scoring. It was about enjoying the moment again.
That joy, according to Purdy, has a lot to do with the guy sitting next to him in the quarterback room.
“It’s been good for me to have a guy that you can see play quarterback and have fun with it,” Purdy said in an interview this week. “You know me.
I’m so serious about my job and everything, which is great. But it’s cool to see him have fun with it and learn from him in that regard.”
That guy is Mac Jones - the former first-round pick turned backup turned unlikely season-saver for San Francisco.
Jones joined the 49ers on a two-year deal worth up to $8.4 million, and while Purdy’s celebratory streak predates his arrival, there’s no denying the impact Jones has had on the vibe in the QB room. The two couldn’t be more different on the surface.
Jones shows up on game days in bold suits and brings a lighthearted energy to the locker room. Purdy, by contrast, is low-key, focused, and all business.
But personality differences aside, they’ve clicked - both as teammates and as quarterbacks navigating the highs and lows of the NFL. Their paths to this point couldn’t be more different.
Jones came into the league with first-round expectations, only to see his early promise fade before finding new life in San Francisco. Purdy, famously the last pick in the draft, stepped into the spotlight after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo and never looked back.
Now, they’re operating on the same frequency - and it’s paying off for the 49ers.
Jones’ numbers this season tell a story of resilience and efficiency: 69.6% completion rate, 2,151 yards, 14 touchdowns, and six picks. His Week 3 performance against the Rams - 33-of-39 for 319 yards and three touchdowns in an overtime win - might be the best single-game showing by a 49ers quarterback all season.
But it’s not just about stats. It’s about the way Jones has handled his role and helped keep the 49ers’ season afloat while Purdy was sidelined with turf toe.
“He’s the man,” Purdy said. “We’ve gotten close throughout the year and I think both of us just have the other’s back.
At the quarterback, people want to make storylines and all these things about the next guy and this and that. To have both of us understand the position and the highs and lows that come with it, it’s been pretty cool.”
Jones has walked the path Purdy’s on - injuries, expectations, pressure. And in the process, he’s become a valuable sounding board and source of perspective.
“More than anything, he went out there and kept our team alive, making plays and straight up balling out,” Purdy added.
That mutual respect extends to the way they approach the game. Purdy, known for his mobility and playmaking outside the pocket, has picked up on Jones’ knack for staying efficient and avoiding negative plays. It’s the kind of growth that doesn’t show up in a highlight reel but matters when you’re trying to string together scoring drives in December.
“I definitely learn from him in terms of being efficient, taking what the defense gives you, trying to stay on the field, find ways to get points whether it’s good-looking or not and kicking a field goal after a checkdown,” Purdy said. “That’s playing NFL quarterback and what I learned from him.”
As for the toe injury that sidelined Purdy for eight games? It’s still there in the background - a reminder every morning and during treatment sessions - but on the field, it’s no longer a limitation. Against Cleveland, Purdy’s movement looked sharp, and unlike his early return attempt in late September, there were no lingering effects.
“It felt great, man,” Purdy said. “It’s gotten better, I feel every week.
Just in general, I’m out there playing and worrying about my assignment, details, throws and not even thinking about my toe. It’s in a real good spot right now.”
That’s great news for the 49ers, who are getting their QB1 back at full strength just in time for the playoff push. But even better? They know they’ve got a rock-solid QB2 in Mac Jones - a guy who’s not only kept the team’s season alive but helped reignite the fire in the starter.
In a league where quarterback depth is often the difference between a playoff run and a missed opportunity, San Francisco might just have the best 1-2 punch in the game.