Niners Nation
The San Francisco 49ers are taking on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, looking to improve to 2-0 on the road with kickoff slated for 10:00 a.m.
The 49ers are starting Mac Jones at quarterback, as starter Brock Purdy is likely out for the next few weeks with turf toe. Jones, a first-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2021, was heavily linked to San Francisco coming out of the draft, but the 49ers ultimately went with Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick.
After a stint in Jacksonville, Jones is in the Bay Area, and is taking the field as the starter on Sunday in a favorable opportunity against the Saints.
It’s been a rough start to Jones’s career, as he could never take off in New England, struggling with interceptions (11+ per year over three seasons). That continued last season in Jacksonville, where the quarterback threw eight picks in 10 games (seven starts).
But, he could be in the best situation of his career with the 49ers. At least, that’s how one Saints defender sees it, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
“The Saints’ defense views [Mac Jones] much like Sam Darnold, a former first-rounder with talent, just miscast in his first stop,” Russini wrote on Saturday.
“As one New Orleans defender told me: ‘Now, with the 49ers, he’s in a way better situation. Just look at the offense — more weapons, better scheme, more support. It’s night and day from Foxboro. Our game plan’s pretty simple: Collapse the pocket, get pressure up the middle. Interior D-line getting their hands up is key. … Force him off his spot, make him uncomfortable, and you’ll see the cracks.’”
While he’s still ramping up as the starter, head coach Kyle Shanahan shared full belief in Jones ahead of Sunday’s game, believing he can execute the offense at a high level.
“We do have a lot of confidence in Mac [Jones],” Shanahan said this week. “He’s had a great training camp, he’s had a great week of practice. He might not have the same mobility as Brock. Brock makes a number of plays with his legs, which Mac is capable of, but he’s not going to do that quite as much.
“But after that, they are very similar. Mac can execute the offense at a high level. He’s had a hell of a week. I’m not too concerned with Mac. As long as we play good around him, Mac will have a hell of a game.”
The 49ers will be short-handed against the Saints, as George Kittle was placed on Injured Reserve earlier this week due to the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 1. Additionally, Jauan Jennings is questionable after suffering a shoulder injury last week.
But, San Francisco does have lead receiver Ricky Pearsall, and Christian McCaffrey is a boost for any quarterback, both as a runner and a receiver.
Jones has a favorable matchup to kick off the season, going up against arguably the worst team...
