49ers QB controversy? Adam Schefter sets the record straight

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones delivered a gutsy performance in last week's overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams, guiding his team to sole possession of first place in the NFC West. His third consecutive victory as a starter immediately fueled speculation on social media about a potential quarterback controversy in Santa Clara between Jones and Brock Purdy.

Jones himself downplayed that talk after last week's game.

"They brought me here to play as a backup, and that's my job," Jones said. "Brock's the starter of this team, and right now he's dealing with something, and for him to go out there last week and play when you know he probably wasn't at full health, he cares about this team. So, I'm just trying to get some wins for him so it helps us down the line, and at the end of the day, that's what it's all about."

Still, with Jones possibly headed for another start this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the chatter hasn't gone away. But ESPN insider Adam Schefter shut the door on the "QB controversy" narrative during an appearance Monday on The Pat McAfee Show.

"Firstly, he's been unbelievable," Schefter said of Jones. "And I think people were surprised at how well he's played, but the environment has elevated his performance. And there aren't a lot of people who would have thought on Thursday Night Football ... that Mac Jones would have led that team to the victory that he did.

"But they've rebuilt him, they've reprogrammed him, and he's playing the way that they thought he would when he left Alabama, and they considered taking him [in the 2021 NFL Draft]."

Schefter reminded viewers that the 49ers initially traded up in that draft with Jones in mind, only to pivot to Trey Lance after falling in love with his potential.

While praising Jones for his resurgence, Schefter made it clear that the performance hasn't changed the team's long-term plans.

"No, I still think it is absolutely Brock Purdy's job. I don't even think it's a question," Schefter said. "Mac Jones did say the right things because I think that's the real situation right now, where he's going to be in a situation where he's called upon when Brock's not playing, and he'll step in and play the way he did. It was fantastic.

"He's got a two-year contract, so he's gonna be there for a couple of years, unless, all of a sudden, he's got value. But Brock Purdy, they just paid, and he's going to be the guy."