SANTA CLARA — The 49ers have emerged from a three-day weekend as the NFC West’s outright leaders. Last seen walking off the Rams — and literally walling them off on fourth down — the Niners reunite for a 1:05 p.m. practice Monday. Let’s dive into Week 6 with our social-media mailbag:
Professor, why did the NFL put the 49ers in 2nd position in the NFC? (@EMIsports)
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By virtue of a 4-1 overall record and 4-0 mark against NFC teams, the 49ers sit atop the conference for the first time since the 2023 season. That conference mark is a key tiebreaker come January’s playoff seeding, after sizing up head-to-head battles, divisional games, and common opponents. Other 4-1 NFC teams are the 49ers’ hosts this Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1 NFC), as well as the Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) and the Detroit Lions (2-1).
Where do you rank Mac Jones as a backup QB in the NFL? Might he be the best? (@MrEd315)
It’s not just that Mac Jones is 3-0 in place of Brock Purdy (toe). Jones is doing it with flair, guts, smarts, admiration, and a high pitch count despite substitute receivers.
This season alone, Jones indeed is the NFL’s top backup. The competition includes benched starters Russell Wilson (Giants) and Joe Flacco (Browns), and don’t forget proven veterans Kirk Cousins (Falcons), Carson Wentz (Vikings), and Andy Dalton (Panthers). Ex-Niners quarterbacks in No. 2 roles: Jimmy Garoppolo (Rams), Trey Lance (Chargers), Josh Dobbs (Patriots), Nick Mullens (Jaguars), and Brandon Allen (Titans).
Has Mac Jones earned 1-year $40M for 2026? (@borkerchorker)
Jones is not a one-year reclamation project like Sam Darnold was in 2023. The 49ers lured Jones on a two-year, $8.4 million deal, with a $2.8 million base salary next season. Darnold’s financial trajectory: $4.5 million on the 2023 49ers, $10 million on the 2024 Vikings, then a three-year, $100 million package in March from the Seahawks.
How will the Niners slow down Baker and the passing attack? Pressure or coverage? (@juliantalai10)
Baker Mayfield is 0-4 all-time against the 49ers, matching his record against the Ravens for the worst matchups of a turned-around career. He’s come a long, impressive way since Nick Bosa dominated him in their 2019 Monday Night meeting (“Baaaaaaker. Baaaaaaaker.”) Mayfield has thrown this season for 1,283 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception as an early MVP candidate.
Bosa will be missed this game more than any other this season. While a fierce pass rush benefits the coverage unit, let’s put the onus on the empty-handed coverage units. The 49ers have gone a franchise record 12 straight games without an interception.
With the return of Mustapha, which safety is heading to the bench? (@AlimKamat)
Rookie Marques Sigle and veteran Jason Pinnock have played all 325 snaps as the starting safeties. Sigle’s also played 43 special-teams snaps to Pinnock’s three, and Sigle has 39 tackles (including Thursday’s grand finale) to Pinnock’s 17. Those are just numbers.
The 49ers appreciate Pinnock’s veteran guidance. They covet Sigle’s speed and evident growth. That said, Mustapha is nine months removed from a follow-up ACL repair, and he is allowed three weeks to ramp up for his debut. This question can be tabled for a week or three.
Can you give us an idea of a timeline for the returning wounded? (@michael_budd)
How much time have you got? Here’s an educated guess:
QB Brock Purdy (toe): This week, more likely next week, etc.
TE George Kittle (hamstring): Next week
WR Ricky Pearsall (knee): This week
WR Jauan Jennings (rib, ankle): This week
WR Jordan Watkins (calf): Two weeks
CB Upton Stout (ankle): TBD
DL Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring): Few weeks
DL Kalia Davis (hand): Next week or more
DL Alfred Collins (knee): This week.
S Malik Mustapha (knee): This week (today?) for his first practices since last season.
What’s the word with Aiyuk? (motorin_mona)
Antsy, that’s the word. The 49ers have given no indication when they’ll open his evaluation window, a week after he became eligible to return. He’s looked antsy and lively while shadowing the receiver warmups since training camp. He must practice before suiting up and that could take a couple of weeks. So, a midseason comeback.
Are you concerned with the offensive line play? (@robertdomenichini) When do we talk about adding offensive line to the trade list with D-end? (@itsmerobertooo)
Each and every week, the offensive line is a concern — for EVERY team. The 49ers have bigger issues with the health of their quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive line, the latter of which remains the most pressing issue without Bosa.
Win or lose, will a trade happen? (@fernandez_joe)
Yes, and the more they win, the more they should be willing to pay. There’s already too much attrition to buck their annual trend of trading for help.
What is your opinion of Brendel’s play? I don’t see him move DL in the run game and steadily pushed back in pass protection. (@DenverDrew44)
Not many centers stand out for their dominance. Jake Brendel has started every game since 2022. That reflects the 49ers’ strong opinion of him, and theirs counts more than yours. Overlooked is Brendel’s aptitude to help puppet this scheme.
If Alfred Collins is unable to play this week, who will replace him? (@kgarcia51)
Bring on The Hulk! Remember our summer romance with undrafted rookie Sebastian Valdez? He’s on the practice squad. But so is Evan Anderson and he played 12 games last season as a rookie.
Who’s the starting QB? (@podman61)
Ah, the weekly question. If we answered now, then what would you read all week, every week?
QB controversy? (@jestiny_)
Now THAT is a clickbait story not worth your time. Jones addressed it with refreshing honesty postgame:
“They brought me here to play as a backup and that’s my job. Brock’s the starter of this team and right now he’s dealing with something. … I’m just trying to get some wins for him so it helps us down the line. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. I’ve been in his position. I’ve been a starter and you want your backup to go in there and win because at the end of the season, that could be the hit or miss between a playoff or not.”
Jones, after leading the 2021 Patriots to the playoffs as a rookie, finished one win shy of a 2022 postseason encore. His backups were Bailey Zappe and Brian Hoyer.
