Recent Mac Jones prediction spells ominous concern for Brock Purdy

The 2024 season wasn’t a great one for the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy. The team finished with a 6-11 record, and Purdy only played in 15 games, missing two starts with injuries to his shoulder and elbow. Still, the franchise made it a great offseason for the young quarterback, signing him to a five-year, $265 million contract extension. Now, Purdy and the 49ers are determined to make the 2025 season a bounce back year.

Unfortunately, there are already predictions being made about 2025 being another rocky season for the recently extended quarterback. In an ESPN piece by Bill Barnwell, the analyst looked at 15 players joining new teams, and predicted how things would go for them in 2025. One of the highlighted players was quarterback Mac Jones, and he had a pretty promising outlook.

While Barnwell acknowledged that Jones won’t start over Purdy, he did predict Jones would eventually have the opportunity to play and earn himself a significant opportunity in 2026. The only way that would happen is if Purdy sustains more injuries that sideline him this season.

"There has been a need for a reliable backup in San Francisco, even after Purdy's ascension. Purdy suffered a serious elbow injury in the 2022 NFC Championship Game, left a 2023 loss to the Ravens with a stinger and missed two games in 2024 with shoulder and elbow injuries. Jones probably isn't going to win the job away from the $265 million QB, but don't be surprised if he plays well enough to get a more significant opportunity elsewhere on his next deal in 2026."

Bill Barnwell (ESPN)

ESPN implicitly predicts Brock Purdy will get hurt in 2025

Every team would love to have a quality backup that could come in and provide competent play if the starting quarterback ever has to miss time. If Mac Jones can be that in San Francisco, it would be great. However, no one wants to find out if that’s the case, because no one wants Purdy to get banged up again.

It would be in the best interest of the 49ers if Jones’ only action came in the preseason, and at the end of games that are already out of hand. Jones is likely hoping to resurrect his career as a starter, similar to how Sam Darnold did, but hopefully, that resurrection will come after San Francisco, just like it did for Darnold.