Dan Orlovsky’s 2-Year-Old Statement Resurfaces After Mac Jones’ Iconic Night Against Rams

Dan Orlovsky saw potential in Mac Jones even when he was written off by fans and other football analysts.

Dan Orlovsky’s 2-Year-Old Statement Resurfaces After Mac Jones’ Iconic Night Against Rams

Dan Orlovsky and Mac Jones (Image via X/Imago)

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New England Patriots fans and football analysts had given up on Mac Jones in 2023, except for one. Even during the lowest point of his NFL career, Jones found support from Dan Orlovsky.

Jones was traded at the end of the campaign to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he spent the 2024 season as QB2. He entered free agency after the Jaguars declined to extend his stay in Jacksonville at season’s end. The Niners took a chance on him as their QB2.

With Brock Purdy sidelined due to injury, Kyle Shanahan turned to Jones. He has recorded 86 completions from 129 attempts for 905 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 interception in wins over the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, and Los Angeles Rams.

Right after Jones’ 342-yard and 2-touchdown outing against the Rams, Dan Orlovsky tweeted a Get Up video from 2023. In the 49-second clip, the retired NFL quarterback can be seen arguing with former Jets head coach turned ESPN contributor Rex Ryan about Jones.

Orlovsky defended Jones after Ryan asserted that the Patriots would not win another game with Jones as their starting quarterback.

If Mac Jones was in San Francisco, he will be playing like Brock Purdy.

Dan Orlovsky said

Host Mike Greenberg backed his colleague up, but a disappointed Ryan shook his head and said, “No chance.”

From Ryan’s point of view, Orlovsky downplayed Purdy’s success for the Niners by comparing him with Jones despite being aware that the Bama graduate won a Pro Bowl nod by finishing 10-7 in his rookie season. Ryan did not waver from his stance and even called Jones a “peashooter.”

Mac Jones’ resurgence continues in San Francisco

The Patriots were 1-4 following losses against the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints. He lost five more games (against the Las Vegas Raiders, the second time to the Dolphins, the Washington Commanders, the Indianapolis Colts, and the New York Giants) before Bill Belichick benched him in favor of Bailey Zappe.

Dan Orlovsky's 2-Year-Old Statement Resurfaces After Mac Jones' Inconic Night Against Rams
Mac Jones was drafted by the Patriots (Image via IMAGO)

Belichick left the Patriots after winning six rings, and the AFC East team traded Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones started 10 games in Trevor Lawrence’s absence and threw 8 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. The Jags declined to give him an extended contract, and he ended up in free agency.

Shanahan quickly signed Jones, whom he had the chance to draft in 2021. However, the Niners took Trey Lance at three, while Jones ended up in Boston twelve draft picks later.

Lance’s career never really kicked off in San Fran due to the emergence of Brock Purdy, who led the Niners to consecutive NFC title games and a Super Bowl appearance in 2023. Purdy signed a five-year, $265 million contract extension but has yet to earn his keep because of injury woes.

Jones stepped onto the plate and delivered three wins as the Niners improved to 4-1. When asked if he should start ahead of Purdy when his rehab comes to an end, Jones replied,

They brought me here to play as a backup and that’s my job. Brock’s the starter of this team. Right now he’s dealing with something and for him to go out last week and play when you probably know he’s not at full health shows a lot. I’m just trying to get some wins for this team so it helps us down the line.

With Purdy’s status being day-to-day, Jones may get an extended run on the starting roster. In Week 6, the Niners travel to Florida to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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