NFL's best QB room? How Mac Jones and Brock Purdy helped each other to the playoffs

"For six weeks from early October to mid-November, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy wasn't sure how his injured right big toe would feel when he woke up most mornings. As the Niners began preparing for Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals, Purdy was finally ready to return. The only potential complication? Backup Mac Jones had not only kept the Niners afloat but thrived in Purdy's stead, leading the team to five wins in eight starts and leaving outside observers wondering whether he should continue starting. Inside the 49ers' quarterback room, there was no such consternation. The job belonged to Purdy and, as long as he was healthy enough to play near the standard he'd set on his way to landing a five-year, $265 million contract in May, he would reclaim the role."

"There was no need for emergency meetings or big declarations from coach Kyle Shanahan, quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi or anyone else in the organization. Early in the week, Purdy simply told Jones he was back. Jones responded by welcoming him back and launching into things he'd seen from Arizona's defense in the Week 3 game he started in Purdy's place. "For me to be able to see that and feel that in a real way, I'll always be appreciative of that," Purdy told ESPN. "Sometimes in this business you can make it weird. But he did not.""

Brock Purdy missed six weeks with an injured right big toe and experienced uncertainty about daily pain during recovery. He was cleared to return by Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals after rehabilitation. Backup Mac Jones started eight games, won five, and performed well, prompting outside questions about the starting job. Within the quarterback room the starting role remained Purdy's as long as he could return to his prior standard following his five-year, $265 million contract. Purdy told Jones he was ready to play; Jones welcomed the news and shared defensive observations from his Week 3 start. Purdy appreciated Jones's professionalism, and that mutual respect helped stabilize the team.

Read at ESPN.com