The San Francisco 49ers contemplated drafting Mac Jones in 2021 but opted to go with Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick. While Lance is with the Dallas Cowboys now, Jones remains with the team that drafted him, the New England Patriots. Though, he's looked nothing like a starting-caliber quarterback there.
It's worth noting that the Patriots roster has issues across the board.
Meanwhile, the 49ers have moved on to 2022's last overall pick, Brock Purdy, and look like the best team in the NFL after a dominant 42-10 win over the Cowboys on Sunday night.
The situation in New England led to a somewhat controversial take from ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky.
As Rex Ryan broke down the Patriots' downfall, Orlovsky interjected, saying, "If Mac Jones was in San Francisco, he would be playing like Brock Purdy."
"If Mac Jones was in San Francisco, he would be playing like Brock Purdy."
👀 @danorlovsky7 pic.twitter.com/Riny8cGmCf
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 9, 2023
Ryan couldn't believe his ears. The comparison by the former NFL quarterback seemed absurd to the former NFL head coach.
"There's no chance," a stunned Ryan responded. "He'd be better than he is, but if you think he's going to play like Brock Purdy, you haven't paid attention to Brock Purdy. That is a slap in his face. He's not just a system quarterback."
Orlovsky later defended his stance, emphasizing that it wasn't a shot at Purdy at all.
"He's awesome," Orlovsky tweeted. "Playing MVP level football. Has changed SF offense. This is to say 'Mac Jones is a much better player than what NE is allowing him to be.'"
This isn't a shot at Purdy at all. He's awesome. Playing MVP level football. Has changed SF offense
This is to say "Mac Jones is a much better player than what NE is allowing him to be" https://t.co/jZ9ZZjWHUh
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 9, 2023
Orlovsky's remarks made their rounds on Bay Area radio stations, with the reactions being understandably critical.
"What I hated about this comment from Orlovsky was not that he made it," Mark Willard said on 95.7 The Game. "It's that then, he doubles back to say, 'But I'm not being insulting to Brock. No, I'm not.'
"Yes, you are. You may not divorce yourself from the idea that you're calling Brock Purdy a system quarterback, a product of his surroundings when you say things like this."
Willard added, "You're a crazy person if you don't think this guy's a really good football player. You're allowed your opinions. You can like the guys you like, you can dislike the guys you dislike. Do whatever you want, but do not call Brock a product of his surroundings and then follow it up with, 'That's not a slap in his face.' Yes, it is."