Mac Jones Leads Second Game-Winning Drive in Three Starts, Fuels 49ers QB Controversy

The former first-round pick is playing some great football under Kyle Shanahan.

Mac Jones is playing great football under head coach Kyle Shanahan. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The 49ers are 4-1 to begin the 2025 NFL season, and it's pretty much all thanks to Mac Jones.

The quarterback, who has been under center for three of San Francisco's first five games this year as starter Brock Purdy deals with a turf toe injury, led his team on a second game-winning drive in as many starts to capture a 26-23 win over the division rival Rams.

Jones went 33-for-49 passing on the night for 342 yards and two touchdowns, finding his old Patriots teammate Kendrick Bourne on 10 of them for 142. His touchdown hurls—both of which came in the first half—were to tight end Jake Tonges and running back Christian McCaffery.

FINAL: @49ers win a thriller on TNF! pic.twitter.com/vWKiLSzjxl

— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2025

What a performance from the 27-year-old.

NFL World Reacts to Mac Jones, 49ers OT Win Over Rams

When San Francisco traded up to the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the rumor was they had their eyes on Jones. A cerebral passer, the Alabama Crimson Tide alumnus was seen to be a perfect fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan's West Coast offense. Instead, however, the team took Trey Lance out of North Dakota State—and we all know how that went.

Together at last, Shanahan and Jones have some in the NFL world calling for Jones to be the 49ers' permanent starting quarterback, even with the $265 million dollar man Brock Purdy waiting in the wings.

Here are some of the best reactions to Jones' performance from X (formerly Twitter):

Brock Purdy: Mac Jones:
- 2 games - 2.5 games
- 586 Yards - 723 yards
- 2 TDS - 6 TDS
- 2 INTS - 1 INT
- 85.8 Passer RTG - 111 Passer RTG pic.twitter.com/c3VuieNoLv

— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) October 3, 2025

If the 49ers draft Mac Jones like was rumored instead of Trey Lance so many things are different. The 49ers probably win a Super Bowl, Mac Jones is one of the highest paid QBs in football, & we never find out just how good Brock Purdy is.

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 3, 2025

49ers paid Brock Purdy $265 mill for Mac Jones to do the same thing 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/pXpckM0gZd

— The Weekly Audible (@WeeklyAudible) October 3, 2025

Mac Jones and Brock Purdy (2025) pic.twitter.com/nX2pLWztBk

— doogs (@d00gs) October 3, 2025

Mac Jones to Brock Purdy after taking the 49ers QB1 job pic.twitter.com/ubWyLV1f0W

— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) October 3, 2025

brock purdy on the sideline taking notes from mac jones pic.twitter.com/nWYvNe6GON

— Robert Beal Fan Club (@GregoryFan5) October 3, 2025

Brock Purdy when Mac Jones takes his starting spot forever pic.twitter.com/0bcSScf3qQ

— John🇹🇹 (@MattBeBald) October 3, 2025

Brock Purdy or Mac Jones… pic.twitter.com/WeBpLJ1nNp

— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) October 3, 2025

The 49ers, now 4-1, will head to Tampa Bay in Week 7 to take on the Buccaneers. The Oct. 12 kickoff from Raymond James Stadium is set for 4:25 p.m. ET.

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