Kyle Shanahan Faces a High-Stakes Quarterback Dilemma as Brock Purdy’s Return Could Shake the Team’s Future.QQ
Purdy has been in and out of the lineup most of the season due to a toe injury.
Kyle Shanahan will have a decision to make at quarterback when Brock Purdy returns to full health. / Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The 49ers are 6-4 through 10 games, managing to keep their season afloat despite losing starting quarterback Brock Purdy to a toe injury for much of the year thus far.
Veteran backup quarterback Mac Jones has performed well in Purdy’s absence, completing 69.6% of his passes in eight games, while throwing for 2,151 yards and 13 touchdowns to six interceptions.
Despite his strong play, head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media that the decision on who to start once Purdy is healthy won’t be a difficult one.
“It’s not a hard decision,” Shanahan told the media. “It’s just more about Brock’s health. It’s been awesome how Mac has played. He has been great. But we have a lot of confidence in Brock and we know Brock will play at a high level too as long as he’s healthy.”
Purdy, is indeed, San Francisco’s franchise quarterback. He’s gone from Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL draft to one of the highest-paid players in football. In 42 career games, he’s completed 67.4% of his passes for 10,104 yards and 68 touchdowns to 31 interceptions.
When he returns, he’ll be the starter. But if he struggles, expect Niners fans to be clamoring for the insertion of Jones back into the lineup.
49ers’ Brock Purdy to Start Against Cardinals Sunday After Long Absence
Mac Jones has held the fort for San Francisco since September.
Brock Purdy hasn’t played since Sept. 28 due to a toe injury. / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
After more than six weeks away, quarterback Brock Purdy is ready to return to the 49ers’ starting lineup.
San Francisco will start Purdy Sunday against the Cardinals, coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday during a taping of 49ers Game Plan via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Purdy, 25, has not played since Sept. 28—when he aggravated a preexisting turf toe injury during a 26–21 loss to the Jaguars.
With Purdy out, San Francisco started Mac Jones in six straight games—to generally positive results. The 49ers have gone 5-3 with Jones under center this year—counting two games he started in September before Purdy’s aborted comeback—as the Alabama product has thrown 13 touchdowns against six interceptions.
In the two games he’s played in 2025, Purdy has thrown four touchdown passes against four interceptions. The Iowa State product and former final pick of the NFL draft made a Pro Bowl and garnered credible MVP buzz in 2023 before regressing in 2024.
San Francisco is locked in a tight three-way battle in the NFC West division; it trails the Rams and Seahawks by a game and a half. If the playoff started today, the 49ers would be the first team out of the field.
