San Francisco 49ers legend Steve Young recently shared his thoughts on the quarterback situation in the Bay Area, and it’s clear he’s firmly in Brock Purdy’s corner. With the addition of Mac Jones to the roster, some have speculated about a potential quarterback controversy, but Young doesn’t see it that way. In his view, Purdy has proven himself as the leader of the 49ers’ offense, and it would take something extraordinary for Jones to challenge that.
STEVE YOUNG: Doesn’t see Mac Jones as a threat to Brock Purdy.
“Unless something goes haywire, Brock’s the guy. Mac’s a solid backup, maybe a reclamation project, but Brock’s earned the keys to this offense. It’d take a heck of a showing from Mac to change that, and I don’t see it happening based on what we’ve seen so far.” -Steve Young
“Unless something goes haywire, Brock’s the guy,” Young said. “Mac’s a solid backup, maybe a reclamation project, but Brock’s earned the keys to this offense. It’d take a heck of a showing from Mac to change that, and I don’t see it happening based on what we’ve seen so far.”
Young’s assessment comes as no surprise to those who’ve followed Purdy’s rise. The former “Mr. Irrelevant” from the 2022 NFL Draft has defied expectations, stepping into the starting role and leading the 49ers to deep playoff runs. His poise, decision-making, and ability to execute Kyle Shanahan’s system have solidified his spot as QB1. Meanwhile, Mac Jones, once a first-round pick by the New England Patriots, arrived in San Francisco this offseason after a rocky tenure in Foxborough. While Jones has shown flashes of potential, his struggles in New England have cast him more as a question mark than a challenger.
For Young, a Hall of Famer who knows a thing or two about quarterbacking in San Francisco, the hierarchy seems clear. Purdy’s track record speaks for itself, and Jones would need to deliver a jaw-dropping performance—something beyond what he’s shown so far—to even spark a conversation about taking over. “Solid backup” and “reclamation project” aren’t exactly ringing endorsements for a coup at quarterback.
As the 2025 NFL season unfolds, all eyes will be on Purdy to maintain his grip on the starting job, while Jones waits in the wings for an opportunity that, according to Young, isn’t likely to come anytime soon. For 49ers fans, the message is simple: Brock’s the guy, and the keys to the offense are safe in his hands.
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