San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones has made the most of his opportunity while filling in for injured starter Brock Purdy. His strong play has sparked chatter about a possible quarterback controversy in the Bay Area. While that debate remains open, there's little doubt that Jones has been one of the 49ers' best offseason additions, guiding the team to three wins in as many starts this season, including last week's overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Jones delivered a gritty performance on Thursday Night Football, completing 67.3% of his 49 attempts for 342 yards and two touchdowns. Through three starts with San Francisco, he has thrown for 905 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception.
49ers legend and Hall of Famer Steve Young is among those impressed by Jones' start in the Bay Area.
"What we've seen is inspiring," Young said Wednesday morning on Bay Area radio station KNBR. "He's been an inspiring player. Mac's game is—he's throwing the ball all over the place, and he's showing up under duress on the road without everybody in place."
Despite being without top wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, Jones helped lead San Francisco to its fourth win of the season. Many doubted whether the 49ers could upset the Rams short-handed, but Jones' toughness made the difference.
Young praised Jones' "gutsy" and "gritty" play, pointing out that the quarterback was battered throughout the contest but continued to battle. He also noted that Jones, once a highly touted prospect, didn't pan out with the New England Patriots but is now seizing a second chance in Santa Clara.
"Now, for Mac, he has re-established himself as somebody who can be a really good player in the league," Young continued. "... For Mac, this has put him back in place to play for a long time. And it may be even more than that, because it's the grittiness and the things that it takes time to show in the NFL. He's been able to do it in a very short time, so, good for him."