When evaluating quarterback play, broad box-score numbers rarely tell the full story. A closer look into situational analytics reveals one specific area where backup quarterback Mac Jones surprisingly outpaced starter Brock Purdy last season.
According to tracking shared by NFL analyst Rich Madrid, Jones proved significantly more efficient than Purdy when delivering throws into tight coverage on money downs. The criteria filtered for third-down pass attempts traveling 10 or more air yards where the receiving target had less than one yard of separation.
In those exact high-leverage scenarios, Jones ranked seventh in the NFL with a 36.4% accuracy rate. Purdy, meanwhile, tumbled down the board to 23rd at 21.4%.
Passing accuracy is a QB stat. Yes,
tight windows/tight coverage make throws harder. Everyone knows this. Mac Jones 7th Brock Purdy 23rd Here’s the ranks for all QBs. Criteria is 10+ air yards on third down where coverage is less than 1 yard of separation. https://t.co/r4dQIcQy0M pic.twitter.com/uqv4d1owZo
— rich madrid (@richjmadrid_) July 24, 2026
What makes the disparity notable is how narrow the workload gap was between the two over the course of the campaign, with only five total pass attempts separating Jones and Purdy under these precise conditions.
However, zooming out to overall late-down performance shows why Purdy remains the undisputed centerpiece of San Francisco's offense. According to Sumer Sports, Purdy led all NFL quarterbacks in expected points added (EPA) per play on late downs (third and fourth down) during the 2025 season among those with at least 100 such plays. His dominant mark of +0.58 EPA/play was well clear of the field, leaving Green Bay's Jordan Love (+0.42) and New England's MVP runner-up Drake Maye (+0.33) trailing in second and third.
Their full-season production reflected two reliable stat lines. In nine games, Purdy completed 197-for-284 passes (69.4%) for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions, finishing with a 103.5 passer rating. Jones appeared in 11 games, completing 201for-289 attempts (69.6%) for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions for a 97.4 passer rating.
Despite Jones outperforming the starter in tight-window, downfield 3rd-down accuracy, any speculation of a quarterback controversy in Santa Clara is nonexistent. Jones has categorically denied any notion of a QB battle, publicly reiterating that the team belongs entirely to Purdy and emphasizing his commitment to the backup role. Still, Madrid's metric highlights a reassuring reality for the 49ers: if called upon, Jones possesses the requisite downfield aggression and tight-window accuracy to convert in the toughest third-down situations.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: The metric where Mac Jones surprisingly outperformed Brock Purdy
