This week’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams was probably backup quarterback Mac Jones’ final audition before Brock Purdy’s return from his toe injury, and it didn’t go too well. The San Francisco 49ers fell 42-26, and the fans have made up their minds about the quarterback situation after Purdy’s return.

It’s pretty normal to blame quarterback play when you’ve lost by sixteen points, but tonight’s loss wasn’t on Mac Jones. He racked up 319 yards and three touchdowns with only one pick. Legendary Richard Sherman doesn’t think Kyle Shanahan should bench Jones with the way he’s playing.

“I just don’t see how Kyle will be able to take Mac Jones off the field with how he’s playing. I know Brock Purdy HAS to start if he’s healthy but this is a hot hand situation right now, and MAC is rolling! Not trying to spark controversy but this is an obvious observation,” he wrote on X.

Jones has played well in almost every game this season, except for two. He’s clearly building momentum. But the big question is, has he played well enough to take Brock Purdy’s spot when Purdy returns? The 25-year-old might be back as soon as next week, and head coach Kyle Shanahan has a tough decision to make.

“I do believe he’s further along than was (in Week 4) so hopefully he’ll have a chance this week,” Shanahan said about Purdy’s return.

In fact, Shanahan admitted Purdy could have dressed as the backup this week but decided to hold him out a little longer. Given how Jones has been playing, that decision made sense. There’s no need to rush things.

But as much as Shanahan may like to play things close to the vest, everyone around the team seems to know where this is heading. He hasn’t named next week’s starter yet, but the fans already have, and in their minds, there’s no debate. When both guys are healthy, this is still Brock Purdy’s team.

Fans collectively agree on Brock Purdy as the starting QB

Richard Sherman said what a lot of people around the league are probably thinking, and maybe what a few in the 49ers locker room are too. But the truth is, no matter how well a backup plays, it’s hard to turn away from a quarterback like Brock Purdy. He’s still the guy in San Francisco, and the fans haven’t wavered on that.

“Sherm I love you but Purdy passes the eye test 1000% over Mac, and I love Mac,” one fan wrote.

Hard to argue with that. Purdy’s game has a polish to it. It all just looks right. Watching him throw when he’s in rhythm can be something special. But the real question isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about production. Can he produce as much as Jones has when he returns?

“Disagree. Mac is playing amazing but without Brock’s deep ball ability, this offense will never be elite, which is needed this year,” another wrote.

Only a few quarterbacks in the league can throw it deep like Purdy. But can he still look like that version of himself when half of his supporting cast is banged up?

It’s not just about who’s better on paper, but about who can make the most out of what’s around him. Jones has been doing it all year with a thin receiving corps and a defense that hasn’t always given him much help.

“Mac Jones isn’t that good. He just happens to be coached by Kyle. We’ve seen this over and over where Kyle can basically make any QB look good. Purdy and Mac are interchangeable. Kyle is the 49ers,” one claimed.

And there’s truth in that, too. Shanahan has a way of molding his quarterbacks into the version of themselves that best fits his system. But even in his system, there’s always one who separates from the other. The fans believe that’s still Brock Purdy. The question now is whether Kyle Shanahan feels the same way.