Heading into Week 5, the 49ers were once again without starting QB Brock Purdy. Yet, the red and gold managed to grind out a 26-23 overtime victory against the Rams. A big reason they pulled it off? Backup QB Mac Jones. And after the final whistle, Jones had a message for Purdy.

“They brought me here to play as a backup. That’s my job. Brock is the starter of this team. Right now dealing with something. To go out last week not at full health, he cares about this team,” Jones said after the game. But he didn’t stop there. He delivered a six-word message that summed up exactly what he is doing for his teammate. “I’m trying to get wins for him,” Jones said.

Jones, now 3-0 as a starter this season, kept his hot streak alive. He completed 33-of-49 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns. When the game hit overtime, Jones led the 49ers down the field on a long drive that set up the game-winning field goal. He was calm, efficient, and exactly what the team needed in Purdy’s absence.

Of course, Purdy is still the top dog under center and the long-term answer for San Francisco. But Jones’ performance is making a strong case for Kyle Shanahan and the staff. With Purdy sidelined, there’s no reason to rush him back. Letting him heal fully could pay off big down the line.

Meanwhile, Jones is clearly playing his best football under Shanahan, though he suffered an injury in this game. The 49ers might just ride the hot hand, keeping a careful eye on Purdy’s recovery while letting Jones continue to build momentum. However, Jones also revealed his interaction with Shanahan after the game.

Kyle Shanahan’s bold demand from Mac Jones

Though Mac Jones started and won two games for the 49ers earlier this season, Thursday’s matchup brought a whole new challenge. Without Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings on the field, Jones had to adjust quickly. Plus, the Rams were no joke—strong, physical, and hungry for the NFC West lead. The 49ers knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

Still, the underdog tag didn’t slow them down. Before kickoff, Kyle Shanahan used it as fuel. “Kyle came up to me before the game and he was pissed how we were underdogs, so he was like, ‘Let it fly.’ I was like, ‘Coach, you don’t have to tell me twice,'” Jones told Kaylee Hartung of Prime Video. That fire from Shanahan lit up Jones and the whole 49ers squad. “We made that happen, just happy for the guys, what a great team win,” he added.

And Shanahan noticed every bit of it. “He played his ass off,” Shanahan said after the game. “Was unbelievable in the first half. Got banged up in the second half and battled through it and protected the ball going against that defense and throwing the ball that many times without having a turnover, I can’t say enough good things about Mac.”

The head coach’s plan made it simple—quick passes, easy reads, and smart plays that let Jones stay calm and efficient. The result? Touchdowns on the first two drives and a controlled game from start to finish.

In the end, it’s classic Shanahan magic. No matter the QB, the receivers, or the weapons, he sets his team up to succeed. This time, it was Mac Jones showing up and executing. Now, the 49ers head back to San Francisco 4-1, confident and ready for the next challenge.