The San Francisco 49ers have a hefty extension due for quarterback Brock Purdy this offseason, but his contract wasn’t the first major quarterback news for the 49ers.

Before extending their franchise QB, San Francisco signed 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones to a one-year contract. The news sent a brief shockwave through the 49ers’ offseason as speculation immediately rose about Jones’s role with the club. Since Jones was often tied to the 49ers ahead of the 2021 NFL draft when San Francisco held the No. 3 overall pick, it was logical to wonder if San Francisco was getting cold feet on Purdy.

There’s no indication that Jones’s presence will impact Purdy’s status as the 49ers’ franchise QB. Instead of usurping Purdy as the starting QB in San Francisco, it’s more likely Jones will aim to take a similar career path to former 49ers backup QB Sam Darnold.

Their paths to a career crossroads were different, but Jones comes to the 49ers needing to restore his reputation before he falls so far into ‘career backup’ territory that he can’t climb out. Darnold backed up Purdy in 2023, signed a one-year deal as the Minnesota Vikings starter in 2024, then earned a $100 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.

Jones could be in line to take a similar path. He’s not a physically talented as Darnold, but he is a former No. 15 overall pick who is still only 26-years old. Jones has an opportunity to rebuild some value heading into next offseason when he’ll hit free agency again with a chance to compete for a starting job somewhere. That was the Darnold path, and it’s a much more likely outcome for Jones than one where he takes over as Purdy’s replacement in 2025 or beyond.