"They can justify bringing Brock Purdy back, but not because of Mac Jones": Richard Sherman shares controversial take on 49ers’ QB debate

Mac Jones has been impressive for the San Francisco 49ers this season in the absence of starter Brock Purdy. While Purdy nursed a toe injury at the start of the season, Jones lived up to the billing under the center for the team, leading them to a series of crucial wins.

With the possibility of the 49ers switching back to Purdy after the team’s 42-26 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Richard Sherman believes that won't be happening based on poor performance by Jones. The analyst made this opinion known on his podcast on Monday.

“I don’t know what the 49ers are gonna do, but I think they could justify bringing Brock Purdy back just because the team lost, but it's not because Mac Jones didn't play good enough,” Sherman said. “And I think he's making himself a lot of money. “I think there's a chance he has a big market for himself next offseason. I think the Arizona Cardinals will call, the Jets will call. Depends on what happens in some of the other quarterback situations, but a number of guys would be calling for Mac Jones because he fits well in a number of these schemes.”

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Mac Jones completed 33 of 39 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns against the Rams at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday. However, the effectiveness of the Rams’ offense in many aspects of the game ensured they secured the victory in the Week 10 encounter.

Richard Sherman notes it's hard to bring in Brock Purdy for Mac Jones at this time of the season

While there's a chance that Brock Purdy will return to the starting role in place of Mac Jones against the Arizona Cardinals, Richard Sherman highlights how difficult that might be. The analyst cites the competitiveness of the current stage of the season and the rustiness of Purdy.

“I think there is a little bit of a quarterback controversy, and I'm not even trying to be controversial," Sherman said. "I love Brock Purdy. I think Brock Purdy is the guy in San Francisco, but there is something about a hot hand and guys playing and knocking off the rust. “There aren't many games where you feel comfortable saying, hey, this is a game we feel like we can knock the rest off. This is a game we put somebody in and knock the rest off. The San Francisco 49ers are 6-4 and the NFC is as competitive as it's ever been.”

Mac Jones has found the rhythm with the 49ers’ offense this season, despite missing a couple of its firepower. Continuing on the offense would give the team a better chance of returning to the playoffs. However, he's not the long-term option for the franchise after Brock Purdy inked a big contract during the offseason.

Edited by Farouk Yusuf