- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,207,106
- Reaction score
- 59
The San Francisco 49ers got elite quarterback play against zone coverage from both ends of its depth chart in 2025, according to a chart from FTN Fantasy measuring defense-adjusted Value over average (DVOA) against zone defense.
Backup quarterback Mac Jones ranked third in the league at 25.7% DVOA against zone looks, while starting quarterback Brock Purdy checked in right behind him at fourth with a 25.4% mark, among quarterbacks with at least 75 attempts. The pair trailed only Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (34.5%) and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (29.1%), putting two 49ers quarterbacks inside the top four of the entire NFL.
The numbers track with strong efficiency from both passers across the season. Beating zone coverage typically requires anticipation and timing, and both Jones and Purdy showed they could identify soft spots and get the ball out before pressure or coverage rotated to close the window.
Jones, thrust into extended action due to multiple Purdy injuries in 2025, completed 201 of 289 passes for a 69.6% completion rate, with 2,151 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight games. His on-target rate sat at 79.1%.
Purdy, in his nine-start sample, was even sharper. He completed 197 of 284 passes for a 69.4% completion rate and posted an 82.2% on-target rate, the best mark among all qualifying passers in the accuracy data. Purdy also finished with similar stats to Jones, with 2,167 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on a 69.4% completion rate.
With Purdy back into a full-time role and Jones proving capable in relief, the 49ers' quarterback situation looks more stable than it has in years — a point underscored by both passers grading out among the NFL's best against one of the league's most common defensive shells.
It helps, too, that the 49ers should have a full stable of pass-catchers between Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, Ricky Pearsall, rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight ends George Kittle and Jake Tonges.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers QBs dominated against zone defense in 2025
Continue reading...
Backup quarterback Mac Jones ranked third in the league at 25.7% DVOA against zone looks, while starting quarterback Brock Purdy checked in right behind him at fourth with a 25.4% mark, among quarterbacks with at least 75 attempts. The pair trailed only Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (34.5%) and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (29.1%), putting two 49ers quarterbacks inside the top four of the entire NFL.
The numbers track with strong efficiency from both passers across the season. Beating zone coverage typically requires anticipation and timing, and both Jones and Purdy showed they could identify soft spots and get the ball out before pressure or coverage rotated to close the window.
Jones, thrust into extended action due to multiple Purdy injuries in 2025, completed 201 of 289 passes for a 69.6% completion rate, with 2,151 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight games. His on-target rate sat at 79.1%.
Purdy, in his nine-start sample, was even sharper. He completed 197 of 284 passes for a 69.4% completion rate and posted an 82.2% on-target rate, the best mark among all qualifying passers in the accuracy data. Purdy also finished with similar stats to Jones, with 2,167 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on a 69.4% completion rate.
With Purdy back into a full-time role and Jones proving capable in relief, the 49ers' quarterback situation looks more stable than it has in years — a point underscored by both passers grading out among the NFL's best against one of the league's most common defensive shells.
It helps, too, that the 49ers should have a full stable of pass-catchers between Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, Ricky Pearsall, rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight ends George Kittle and Jake Tonges.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers QBs dominated against zone defense in 2025
Continue reading...
