On Saturday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the 49ers are hopeful quarterback Brock Purdy can return next weekend against the Arizona Cardinals. In the meantime, Mac Jones is set to make his eighth straight start on Sunday when the team hosts the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium.
However, Schefter wonders whether head coach Kyle Shanahan will actually make a quarterback change if Jones leads the team to another win. That possibility, he noted, runs contrary to what Shanahan has consistently stated about Purdy remaining the starter when healthy.
"The 49ers keep saying they're hopeful that Brock Purdy will be back next week," Schefter said on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown. "Well, they're hopeful he'll be back next week at Arizona, but in the interim, Mac Jones continues starting, continues playing well, and today, he gets a huge matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
"If he happens to win that game, I can't imagine that you're taking him off the field next week at Arizona, even though they are hopeful to have back Purdy then."
Last week, Shanahan was asked whether Jones' recent success could impact the team's decision to bring Purdy back into the lineup. Jones has performed admirably in relief, going 5-2 as a starter while throwing for 1,832 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Still, Shanahan made it clear that the 49ers' QB1 job remains Brock Purdy's. The coach praised Jones for his steady play and leadership, but reaffirmed that Purdy is the team's long-term starter once healthy. That has not changed.
"I mean, this is Brock's team," Shanahan said. "If Brock's good to go and everything, and can play like Brock, there's no decision to be made. It's just nice, as we go through this with Brock—the uncertainty of the toe—it is cool to have someone playing as good as Mac is."
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