San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones spoke to reporters after Wednesday's practice. Here's everything they had to say.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
QB Mac Jones
Obviously the 2021 Draft lead up there was so much talk here about the possibility of you being a 49er. How do you look back on that time and where was your mind at that point?
"It's honestly just crazy to think that I'm going into my fifth year and time flies. So going into the Draft seems like a long time ago, and I got a chance to meet with a lot of great coaches during that process, this place being one of them. And obviously the world works in mysterious ways, so I'm glad to be back here and learning from a great group of guys, and that's players and coaches. So, you go where you go in the Draft, right? You don't get a lot of choice over that, but I'm definitely excited to be here now."
Why is this a good system for you?
"I think when you go through your first free agency, that's the first time you get to pick where you want to play. And obviously this was a really enticing place for me seeing the production that the quarterbacks put out throughout the years in [head coach Kyle Shanahan] Kyle's offense. Obviously watching [QB] Brock [Purdy] from afar and being a fan from afar, just the way he plays the game, very precise, very on time, cerebral. So it's all those things that I've done at some points in my career and I just want to get more consistent at that. So being here and learning from him and the coaches, not just Kyle, but everybody, all the coaches, I think it's going to really benefit me just get me back playing how I know I can play and that's to be ready when I get in there."
Did you and Kyle ever have to put whatever happened in 2021 behind you? Did you ever address that before you decided to come here?
"Yeah, we got in a huge fight. I'm just kidding. [Laughter]. We were cool. Kyle and I texted a little bit and once again, I always love watching their tape. When you look at stats around the league, they're always in the top-five, you see the little San Francisco logo. So I always love watching what Kyle did throughout the years and to finally get in and learn it, it's been a little bit challenging, but also a great challenge because it's things, some things I've done and some things I haven't done at all. And that's interesting being in my fifth year in the league learning different footwork and timing and how he sees the game. So it's all going to come together here and I'm really excited to, like I said, learn from Brock and he does a great job just following his rules and sticking to the program."
Did you have a previous relationship with Brock? Did you know him before this year?
"Yeah. He came to Alabama on an official visit one of those years and we got to hang out, eat dinner and then go back and play video games at my apartment. So we always talk about that and how crazy the world works. I mean, his story is so cool to me. Just going where he went in the Draft and then just working his butt off and getting what he deserves, I think that's something that anybody can look at and be like, 'Wow, that was impressive.' His will to do everything the right way is something that stuck out to me. And like I said, I'm looking forward to working with him. We're obviously early in this working relationship, but everything's been going really smooth."
Did you work with him in Jacksonville too?
"Yeah, we had a little bit of connection there, throwing in the offseason. He's down there with a couple other quarterbacks, so it's been good."
What is it about Kyle's system that's so quarterback friendly?
"I think that's definitely a loaded question. I think they do a great job explaining what the expectation of each play is and why they're doing a certain play. 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."
During that official visit was there anything about Brock that stood out to you that you still see in him today?
"Yeah, I think he's just a cool laid-back dude and like I said, hard worker. Obviously, he didn't end up coming to Alabama but played really well in college. I came in the Draft in 2021 and he's still in college and then he came out and did a great job just earning his respect in the league. So, I have a lot of respect for him. And I know he's really hungry just being in the room with him. I've been fortunate to be around some good quarterbacks and to see him still hungry and working every day. He's a perfectionist. We both are. So, it's kind of fun to have those little battles and things like that."
Quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi was saying that he was the wide receivers coach when you were a rookie in New England. Now he's running your room. What's it like to have somebody that you have sort of a connection with when you got here?
"Yeah, for sure. I think it is interesting. We're kind of in similar boats where it didn't work out in the previous spot and now we're here trying to get better and learn from a great system. Mick and I obviously go back, he worked with the receivers and stuff, but there's always little lingos and sayings that we have that go back to those times. But he's done a great job and I wasn't with him in the quarterback room previously, obviously he had some experience in Vegas with that. So he's done a great job keeps it fun, really high energy guy. I love that about Mick. He's the same guy every day and he really just wants all of us to get better. So, if we have to go in the game, we'll play really well as a 49er."
What's it been like to work with him directly in the quarterback from so far, just early returns?
"It's been great. Obviously, when I first was deciding to come here, that was a familiar face that I knew and just talking with him, he knows kind of how I learned football. So it is interesting and obviously we're both trying to continue to learn this system and he's done a great job just keeping it simple with me and Brock and [QB] Tanner [Mordecai] and everybody. So, I really appreciate him. I'm looking forward to watching him continue to coach us hard. I think he does it in a way that's, he coaches you really hard, but it's not like yelling at you and bashing you down. He's going to lift you up and say, 'Hey, this is what we need to do better, let's get it done.' So, I really appreciate that about him."
Watching Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Donald's path and how he was here for a year and then had success in Minnesota, was that something that you watched and enticed you more to come to the 49ers?
"For sure. Yeah, like I said, multiple quarterbacks have played in the system really well and that's the enticing part about it. And obviously I'm going to be my own person and my goal is to be ready when I have to play or if that comes up and that's all you can do is put your best foot forward every day, learn from every rep you get and every rep you don't get being back there watching Brock like I talked about. I've had a good OTAs so far and just have to continue to build on that."
Being that you guys haven't been together long, I'm just interested to know what's the coolest conversation, maybe the most memorable conversation that you've had in the locker room with the guys since becoming a Niner?
"To be honest, I probably wouldn't get into any crazy details, but I do think it is cool, and that's a good question because for the young guys on the team, and I've talked to some of them about it, and I'm getting up there a little bit, but I'm still young in my mind and to be able to learn from some of the players that they have in front of them is like an opportunity that I would never pass up. And for me, I'm asking questions every day, and for the rookies and second-year guys, they should be doing the same because you've got All Pro players in front of you, like the [TE George] Kittles of the world, and everybody. So, each room has a guy that's legit. And it's a really good time to ask questions and just watch them and see how they move and see how they do everything. And that's the best way to learn in this league. When you have that, I feel like that's when success happens."
You had a pretty unique career. You took over for former NFL QB Tom Brady, you played for former NFL head coach Bill Belichick, you played for former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. What did you take away from Saban and from Belichick that you utilize today?
"I think I obviously learned a lot. Been fortunate to play for some great head coaches, including my high school coach as well, he was a Hall-of-Fame coach in Florida, but with coach Saban and coach Belichick, I've learned a lot from them. Just watching, not playing, really is when I started at Alabama, not playing at all, I was third string and just trying to learn something and taking notes every day. But coach Saban is just so attention to detail oriented and that's something that I'll take with me forever, and that's the type of person I am. So, I'm excited to learn from the guys here because I feel like they're that way as well. And I see a lot of similarities in the way the programs are run. So, I'm excited to try and do everything they asked me to do correctly, the way they want it done and almost be like a rookie in that sense where I'm learning everything I can and trying to apply it to the field. And obviously remembering my past but also moving forward into a new system."
You're immersing yourself into this system as much as you can, as fast as you can. Where do you think you are right now?
"I think it's been good. Today was a little bit shaky for me, but that's how practice goes. My goal has been, like I said, every attempt should be committed to the throw. Mick's talked to me about that, where if it's supposed to go to that guy, go in there and rip it and live with the result and that's all you can do. And this playbook is based on footwork and timing, like I talked about. So just continue to grow in that aspect. And obviously you're kind of drinking from a water hose a little bit. But I've also played in a lot of different offenses and this has been a great experience for me so far and I'm looking forward to finishing strong and then really getting into those 30 days that we have between the season and kind of go back and, 'alright, this is what I did well, this is what I didn't do well. How can I get more reps on air with my footwork and my timing?' And then be ready to go for the preseason.
You mentioned you don't want to look back too often, but how much have you spent, like looking back at your first couple stops here, maybe what didn't go well, what did go well, and just kind of how it can help you get better moving forward?
"Yeah, for sure. I think just for me, just acknowledging what I could have done better, always looking inward and obviously learning from some great people along the way and then taking those scars and kind of brushing them off and using them as power because I think at some point those are going to help me and they have helped me, whether that's here or in practice or maybe in a game in the future. That's what I'm looking forward to is you may not think about a specific instance, but that'll make you stronger in the long run. And like I said, I'm putting my new foot forward and trying to learn from a great organization."
Were there specific themes or things that you saw, like there was a fundamental that was off or just things that maybe didn't go the way you expected them to?
"Yeah, of course. That's all part of football. And like I said, my goal is to really just have great attempts like, you know, is the ball supposed to go there? And if it is, then let it fly and be committed to it. Sometimes when you watch my film, maybe it is like a, it wasn't a full commitment throw and I want to get better at that, and I have when I've been out there. And that's the whole point of football is to try those throws, learn from them, and then when you get to the game you can say, 'Hey, I can do this,' or 'I'm going to check this one down, you know, I'm trying to protect the ball.' So, I've learned the hard way in a way, but I also am going to focus on myself and the guys around me."
QB Brock Purdy
QB Mac Jones was saying that you guys had a discussion when you were on a recruiting trip back at Alabama and he was hosting. What a small world it is that now you're up back in the same quarterback room.
"We talked about that and joked around with it a little bit, just him being at Alabama and really before he took off too with his career and the amazing, obviously the National Championship run he had and then getting drafted and everything. So, it's pretty cool. We were both just young kids both heading into college and then now here we are on the same team. It's pretty cool."
What's your early impression of working with quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi and what has he brought to the room?
"Mick's been awesome. Just extremely competitive and just fiery in everything that he does. And for us in the quarterback room, a lot of times it's about making the right decisions and that kind of thing. But the way that he runs meetings and stuff, he's just on fire all the time and when we get out on the field, you feel it too. And so, it's been good, man. We love, obviously just where he's been throughout his career, new England and coming here. It's just been really special to honestly just picking his brain and how he coaches, we all love him and excited to go to battle with him this year."
What kind of offseason work did you do with WR Ricky Pearsall and WR Jacob Cowing? Do you think that that's helped chemistry at this point?
"Yeah, they came down to Jacksonville when we were training over there. And just working on the little details of routes and timing and where they're supposed to be, when they can expect the ball out of their breaks on certain routes. Obviously, that's such a huge thing with the quarterbacks and receivers. So I think starting that pretty early in the offseason and then we translate that all the way over here to OTAs. We've definitely seen that. And I think Cowing's had a great OTAs so far and getting in and out of cuts and being the first one to lead lines and show guys how routes are supposed to be ran. So he's taken a huge leap there, so really excited for him and his development. So excited to keep throwing to them."
It looks like Cowing and RB Isaac Guerendo are almost faster than last year and you guys added WR Jordan Watkins as well. From your perspective, how does that change the job knowing you have that much more speed with your weapons this year?
"Yeah, they look good. They look fresh, healthy, like jumping off the line, getting in and out of cuts, like you could feel them. And so for me, I'm extremely excited obviously to have guys that can push the limit, push the ball down the field. Obviously if we get them in one-on-one situations with their speed, it's going to be tough for the defense to guard them. So, for me it's like really exciting. Obviously, you got [TE] George [Kittle], [RB] Christian [McCaffrey], you got our guys, but to see these young guys step up and pushing the envelope pretty early in the offseason, it's been pretty special for me to see. So obviously the more weapons that we can have, obviously the better. So going to continue to chip away with those guys. But they've definitely come in with the right attitude, right mindset, this offseason so far. And I'm really excited to get into camp and the season with those guys."
What's it been like to work on just the chemistry with a guy like WR Demarcus Robinson who's been around a while and kind of knows his way? How have you guys connected?
"Demarcus has been awesome. Just having that veteran receiver in that receiving core and receiving room and showing those guys, sort of just what it's like to be a vet receiver. He's very smart. He's come in, he's learned the playbook, and not only that, like he's actually gone out every single day and just competed and getting up and down with the ball and tracking the ball in and getting in and out of cuts as well. You could just tell like he's a seasoned vet. He's been here, how certain routes are supposed to be ran, just being on top of everything, not really messing up. I feel like he's done a great job and we're going to continue to learn each other and how he gets around and how I can get him the ball. So just lifting, the meetings, all the things, like just seeing him in the locker room talking and stuff, you could just tell like he's been in the league for a while. So that's pretty special to have in this locker room and especially for those young guys too. So he's a great leader and I'm excited to go work with him."
From Jordan Watkins, the rookie in particular, it seems like he's getting some reps with the starters?
"Yeah, he's balling man. Jordan Watkins has been balling from day one really. He's come in and he's done everything pretty right and he's been on point. He's had a lot of explosive plays down the field. Obviously, the short game, the intermediate, he's making plays all around. So, I'm excited for him. Obviously, we know it's a process throughout this whole thing, from OTAs, to the 40 days away, to camp and I know he knows that. I'm really excited to keep working with him and for him to keep learning our offense and how we do things. But definitely a rookie that has popped out in front of everybody."
I know you're more focused on the team goals, but on a personal level, the last few days, taking the field, having accomplished that goal of getting the second contract in the NFL, has that set in for you?
"I'm extremely grateful and appreciative of it and getting it done. It's for sure a big deal. I'm not taking anything away from that, but for me it's been every time I step on the field, my mindset hasn't changed. I go out there, we got our plays for the day and where I have to get better, coach Mick Lombardi, [offensive coordinator] Klay Kubiak, like they coach us hard in the quarterback room. And so when I step out in the field, I have to work on these fundamentals today. I have to go out there and be sharper than I was yesterday on a lot of things and push the limit with other guys around me and help them get better. So that's what I'm focusing on. It's not necessarily I step out in the field and I'm on my second contract now and it feels good, this and that. It's, dude, you'll get humbled really quick. So I just got to always remind myself of that and keep pushing myself in that way."
You've got one week left in the offseason program. These last couple months, what's been the one moment either here on the field or meeting rooms or off campus, so to speak, where this team has had the bonding moment it needs to have?
"I want to say it was last week we had some Navy SEALs come in and sort of just do this week of presentations and what it means to have a standard and a culture and all that. And I think just the events and things that we did with each other were pretty cool and the conversations that we've all had because we're with guys that are on defense talking about what it means to be a Niner and like what it takes. So, I think that was a pretty special moment. But outside of that, just like the jokes and the locker room and the lifting and everyone's here. I think all those moments you can't get enough, especially what we're about to go through and this journey and this challenge of a year. It's going to be a special thing and a unique thing to be able to get guys that are new come in and we got to roll together. We got to go through some things together. And so the last week was pretty cool, but just all the little moments in the locker room and lifting."
Have you been through the Navy SEALs stuff before because they said they've done it a couple times, but have you taken part in that?
"No, I wasn't here for that. So, this is my first time going through it and just obviously hearing their stories and what it's like, being on a SEALs team unit and how that translates to us being a football team and doing stuff that's not ordinary and everything like that. So it was pretty special for me and eye-opening for sure."
How important is it for you to have that veteran leadership from guys like WR Jauan Jennings and Demarcus because your wide receivers room looks a little bit different than it did last year?
"Yeah, it's huge. We got some young guys that are definitely going to need to step up and make plays for us winning man-to-man matchups, play 17 games of good football and getting in and out of cuts and taking care of your body. There's this whole thing that goes with playing in the NFL and it's not easy. And so to have some vets like JJ, Demarcus obviously even Kittle and Christian, we can all help these young guys, especially in that receiving core, understand what it takes for the long haul and what it's going to take game one, Week One, training camp, all those things. And so obviously anytime you lose guys or it looks different, people will always ask like, 'is it going to be the same' or 'what is it going to look like?' That's the challenge that we're going through right now, but I really do believe that we have the right guys and the right rookies and young guys that will make a big leap in the right steps for this team. And for the quarterbacks, and vice versa, we're going to continue to grow together. It's huge having those guys that could continue to lead and show them the way. So, I'm excited for this year."
Quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi's dad obviously was with a few teams as an executive, your coach, you know Kyle, you know who his dad is, former quarterbacks coach Brian Griese you know who his dad is, the Kubiaks. Can you tell that these guys when you first meet them have this just wealth of information that comes from absorbing football from a young age?
"Yeah, no doubt. I think they just, they've been through it at such a young age being around it, growing up from being ball boys to GA's or whatever, and like just working their way up and being around so much football. And a lot of the concepts that they teach have come from their dads. And the Niners back in the nineties when [former NFL head coach] Mike Shanahan was here, to the Broncos, to here, there's things that have sort of stayed within this whole process. And so to be able to learn from them and that, and those lessons for me, like as a quarterback, I'm always like itching to ask questions and what it was like and how they coached back then and what's the same, what's different? So, it just gives us a good perspective on a lot of things revolving around football. And obviously Mick, like I said, coming from New England and him being around [former NFL quarterback Tom] Brady and [New England Patriots offensive coordinator] Josh McDaniels system and [former NFL head coach Bill] Belichick, like, it's pretty cool to be able to have like all these different kind of perspectives and what works, what hasn't worked for them. It's a lot of successful people in the building being able and willing to teach you what they've learned. So, I'm extremely grateful for that. And I know all the quarterbacks in the room are too, but I mean, extremely grateful that we have so much football knowledge in general."
What do you miss about having Brian Griese around? I realize it's natural to look forward with the coaches currently on staff. But anything that stands out from your time working with him and his impact?
"Yeah, I mean obviously just, him playing the game and being in certain situations. He was always teaching me like in certain moments and on the sideline, like we'd be mid-drive and a penalty or a timeout or something would happen, we'd go over and Griese was so good at just, 'Hey, in this moment, be ready for this' or 'with the ball, this is the clock situation, let's take care of it and if it's not there, do this.' He was very good at those moments and situational football and stuff because he played the position, which is really, really cool. And I was extremely grateful for that. But, like I said before, this is part of the business where coaches leave or things happen and you got a new coach coming in, you got to learn from them and what their strengths are. So that's where we're at. Extremely fired up to work with Mick but extremely grateful for what Griese has done for me and my career."
Kind of a personal question when it comes to looking at the fact that you and QB Mac Jones had history in college and then now you're playing next to each other, going from Mr. Irrelevant to now having your contract and seeing what it means to be resilient and where that can take you, do you think back on those moments to help fuel you to go into a season, like next season, after a season like last season, to give you a reason to stay resilient and a motivation to know that something better can come?
"Yeah, I think every single year it's like that. Even after we lost the Super Bowl. Last year's mindset was definitely, 'Hey man, I got to get better.' And things happen throughout the season, yes. But every single season, no matter what, for me at least, it's always been I got to sink back into my fundamentals. I have to be on top of my stuff. There are moments in games where I put my head on my pillow and it's like I run through what I could have done better, what I did do good and need to continue to build off of. But I think at the end of the day, for me, like with my story, obviously I was drafted last and having that chip on my shoulder to when I first showed up here, like trying to prove to my teammates here and everybody here that I belonged and that I could do what it takes here. And from that moment, I feel like I proved to myself that I could play here. And I can't lose that. And I've had to learn throughout the last three years, there's been moments where that slowly had shifted at some points, but the moments that I go back to having that chip on my shoulder, that's when I play my best football. So that's where I have to sink back to every single game, every single moment."