Orlovsky addresses Brock Purdy-Mac Jones comparison, QB’s impact on 49ers

During an episode of ESPN's "Get Up" this week, analyst Dan Orlovsky sparked criticism from San Francisco 49ers fans with a striking statement.

As Rex Ryan commented on the downfall of the New England Patriots, Orlovsky interjected, saying, "If Mac Jones was in San Francisco, he would be playing like Brock Purdy."

Many took offense at the comment because it implied that Purdy is a system quarterback, downplaying his success. Among those who took issue with Orlovsky's statement was Purdy's teammate, tight end George Kittle.

"That's disrespectful to Brock Purdy," Kittle said during a radio interview. "I think Mac Jones is a fine quarterback. Currently, what Brock's doing, you look at his stats, just watch the tape. People just say, 'Oh, I see his stats. I see some of the things they talk about on Sunday Night Football.' Just watch him move in the pocket. Watch some of these throws that he's making."

RELATED Orlovsky's bold take: Mac Jones would have Brock Purdy-like success with 49ers

On Thursday morning, Orlovsky had a chance to explain his comments, speaking on Bay Area radio station KNBR.

"What I was trying to convey is, in more support of Mac Jones than trying to take any form of a shot on Brock Purdy," Orlovsky shared on the "Murph and Mac" show. "... I'm a Brock Purdy backer. I think, since the first time we saw him, I think it was against the Dolphins, I've been Team Brock Purdy. I think he's a really good player.

"By no way did I imply or mean to imply that it's a plug-and-play system right now, or any quarterback could go do what Brock Purdy's doing. That's silly. I think what I was trying to kind of point out is more so in support of Mac Jones, who I, one, think still can be a really good player in the NFL, and two, is just in an awful situation.

"And it was just me saying, 'Guys, if Mac Jones was in San Francisco, he'd be playing like that.'"

Many wonder if that would be the case. Jones has struggled to live up to his first-round potential in three seasons with the Patriots. On the other hand, Purdy has flourished since the 49ers made him the last overall pick in 2022. San Francisco's second-year quarterback remains unbeaten in regular-season games and looks to lift the Niners to a franchise-record 16th consecutive regular-season win on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Now, there is no doubt that Purdy has a far superior cast around him, with the Patriots owning one of the league's worst rosters. Still, the ESPN analyst believes Jones' career might be seen in a different light had he landed in Santa Clara.

"Do I think that Mac Jones would have nine touchdowns, no interceptions, and obviously ranking high or number one in almost every category? I don't know if I'm there saying that," Orlovsky continued. "I think that's silly and reckless to say, but I do think Mac would be playing really good.

"I think there's probably, I don't know, eight quarterbacks that would be playing at a pretty good level in San Francisco right now. I don't know if they'd be operating exactly the way that Brock is, so it was never meant to be like a shot at Brock Purdy. I'm a huge fan of his, always have [been]. I'm the person who said he's changed Kyle Shanahan.

"So it was more to try and support Mac Jones and have his back in relation to the type of player I think he can be, rather than, in any way, minimize what Brock has done."

Orlovsky argues that most great quarterbacks are system quarterbacks, using the strengths of a team's offensive philosophy to their advantage. The analyst would even put Patrick Mahomes in that category, saying that the Kansas City Chiefs are a perfect system for him.

That being said, Orlovsky believes Purdy has advanced Shanahan's offense.

"I think he's changed the offense in one way and Kyle in one way," Orlovsky explained. "I have always thought that Kyle was, very much so, a horizontal coach. He wanted to horizontally attack you, specifically in San Francisco, and he never really got to vertically attack you the way that he horizontally attacks you.

"I absolutely think that Brock's ability and willingness to throw the ball down the field and do it at a high level has kind of opened that up in their offense. I don't think there's a play in their playbook that they cannot call. I did not feel that way with Jimmy Garoppolo. And I felt like Jimmy was a fine player.

"So that's the way he's changed that offense, is they can horizontally and vertically attack you at the same time. And you're talking about an incredibly creative coach that now has no limitations to that creativity."

The analyst moved on to how Purdy has changed his head coach.

"The way that I think he's changed Kyle is I don't think Kyle's had a quarterback he trusts the way that he does Brock," Orlovsky said. "... [T]he most fascinating thing for me about Brock's game is he throws the ball really often before guys are looking for it, and he hasn't thrown it to the other team that much, obviously not at all this year.

"To throw with that much anticipation and to not have a ball get tipped for a pick or a guy from the backside come through and pick it off or something, I do think that is pretty unique to his game right now."

You can listen to the entire conversation with Orlovsky below.