Vic Fangio: 49ers QBs Brock Purdy, Mac Jones have similar skill sets

The Philadelphia Eagles are preparing to host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in an NFC Wild Card playoff matchup. The two franchises have met just twice in the postseason, splitting those meetings with one win apiece.

The 49ers enter the playoff game banged up, a familiar situation after navigating injuries throughout the season. Despite the adversity, San Francisco finished 12-5 and came within one win of securing the NFC's No. 1 seed.

Quarterback Brock Purdy has played well down the stretch since returning from a turf toe injury. During his absence, backup Mac Jones kept the 49ers competitive, delivering steady performances when called upon.

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio addressed reporters this week and made it clear he is preparing for both 49ers quarterbacks. While Jones is unlikely to see extended playing time, you never know what could unfold in such a high-stakes contest.

When asked how different the skill sets are between Purdy and Jones, Fangio downplayed the gap.

"Not that much," Fangio said. "They were very successful with Mac playing. I think he started eight games, if I'm not mistaken, and they won five or six of those."

Jones was 5-3 as a starter this season.

"Mac's a really good quarterback, and he's where he should've been from the start," Fangio added.

That final comment suggests Fangio believes Jones may have developed differently early in his NFL career had he landed with a coach like Kyle Shanahan rather than beginning his career with the New England Patriots.

As for Purdy, Fangio emphasized the 49ers starter's ability to extend plays with his legs, something the Eagles defense is clearly preparing for.

"Yeah, he's very good at that," Fangio said. "He's a scrambler, and when he's scrambling, he's looking down the field, his eyes go down the field. He's wanting to throw out of the scramble before he decides to run it, and he's very good at it.

"They have a lot of maximum play-action type protections, where he's gonna have some time anyway. And then, if he doesn't like what he sees, he can buy even more time, and I think that's why his average is up there so high as far as holding the ball."

Fangio also acknowledged his respect for Shanahan, noting the two have a longstanding relationship. Shanahan previously explored the possibility of hiring Fangio as the 49ers' defensive coordinator when he became San Francisco's head coach.

There were reports that the 49ers were also interested in Fangio in 2023 before hiring Steve Wilks. Fangio joined the Miami Dolphins.

Facing a Shanahan-led offense, Fangio said, always presents a challenge.

"Everything's packaged well together, and he's a good play-caller during the game," Fangio commented. "You always know that, and everything they do has a purpose and a reason."