Brock Purdy will return as the starting quarterback on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Even before the decision became official, Shanahan made his stance unmistakably clear.

“No. It's not a hard decision,” Shanahan said earlier this week. “It's just more about Brock's health. It's been awesome how Mac has played. He has been great. But we've got a lot of confidence in Brock and we know Brock will play at a high level too as long as he's healthy.”

Now, after steadily ramping up his workload, Purdy has been cleared and is trending at full speed. 

A Finicky Injury Finally Stabilizes

Purdy’s recovery from a toe injury has been slow, uneven, and at times frustrating. The team has repeatedly described the injury as “finicky”. For a quarterback whose accuracy and timing rely so heavily on lower-body mechanics, the 49ers refused to risk rushing him back.

This week marked a turning point. Purdy moved cleaner, took on a significantly larger practice load, and, most importantly, showed no signs of setback. Coaches and medical staff came away confident enough to green light his return.

The Cardinals Provide a Strategic Landing Spot

This game was the ideal scenario for Purdy’s comeback and the timing makes sense.

The Arizona Cardinals enter the matchup with a battered roster, uncertainty at quarterback, and one of the league’s most inconsistent defenses. For San Francisco, it’s a competitive matchup but not one that creates unnecessary pressure or demands Purdy push through discomfort.

In many ways, it’s the perfect controlled environment to get him back into rhythm without straining the recovery process.

Mac Jones Keeps the Floor Steady

Purdy’s return doesn’t diminish what Mac Jones accomplished in his absence. Jones played calm, efficient football and kept the offense functioning at a high level. His stretch allowed the 49ers to stay patient and prioritize long term health over short term urgency.

But Shanahan never framed the situation as a quarterback controversy. Jones’ performance earned trust, but Purdy remains the clear starter when healthy. That clarity allows the offense to transition seamlessly back to its intended structure.

Looking Ahead

With Purdy officially returning to the lineup this weekend, the 49ers regain their offensive leader at a perfect moment. The next challenge is simply getting Purdy back into full game rhythm and continuing to keep him protected.

San Francisco gets its QB1 back at full strength, on a roster that seems to be dropping like flies on defense, it's nice to have the offensive pieces coming back one by one.