Brock Purdy entered the NFL in 2022 as the last pick in the draft. Since then, many analysts and critics have labeled him a “system quarterback,” and now Mac Jones, his new teammate on the San Francisco 49ers, may have added fuel to those beliefs.
At the end of the 2022 NFL Draft, the 49ers decided to use their final pick to acquire a new quarterback. As every year, the last selection is labeled Mr. Irrelevant—but Brock Purdy has proven anything but irrelevant.
The former Iowa State quarterback took over as the team’s starter following injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. Since then, he has led the 49ers to two playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl berth in 2023.
Mac Jones fuels the ‘Brock Purdy is a system quarterback’ debate
As surprising as it may seem, Purdy has plenty of detractors. His success has led several critics to argue that he’s simply a “system quarterback” whose performance is elevated by Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.
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While Brock Purdy has thrived under Shanahan’s guidance, his talent is undeniable. Still, his new teammate Mac Jones hasn’t exactly helped his case in shaking off the “system quarterback” label.
Jones, who joined the 49ers this offseason, praised Kyle Shanahan for his remarkable ability to coach and develop players. However, the quarterback also emphasized that the system in place is designed to clearly define expectations on every single play.
“I think they do a great job explaining what the expectation of each play is and why they’re doing a certain play,” Jones told SI.com. “And there’s nothing left up to doubt, if that makes sense. And everything’s based on timing and rhythm and also playing off structure. So, it has all three elements of quarterback play. And yeah, it’s really interesting to watch it and see how they see the game because it is the correct way to see it. And as you can tell, the quarterback play is very efficient.”
Mac Jones #10 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Unfortunately for Purdy, those comments only strengthen the narrative against him. But if the 49ers truly believed he was nothing more than a system player, they likely wouldn’t have offered him a five-year, $265 million contract extension this offseason.
49ers: A bright new chance for Mac Jones
Mac Jones entered the league as a first-round pick in 2021 with the Patriots. Unfortunately, he was unable to meet expectations and fell far short of becoming a worthy successor to Tom Brady.
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Jones spent the 2024 NFL season with the Jaguars, recording a disappointing 2–5 record while filling in for the injured Trevor Lawrence. He’s set to back up Brock Purdy this season, but with the 49ers’ loaded offense, he could shine if called upon to step in.
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