Mac Jones is a pro's pro.
The former first-round draft pick has kept the 49ers alive through another injury-riddled season while quarterback Brock Purdy recovered from a nagging turf toe injury, starting the past six consecutive games for San Francisco and boasting an overall 5-3 record as QB1.
But now, the $265 million man is back and set to resume his role as the starting quarterback when the 49ers face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.
Kyle Shanahan, who first shared the news of Purdy's return to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco on "49ers Game Plan," later detailed how Jones responded when the coach told him he would return to his backup position.
“Honestly, it was awesome. He’s understood it the whole time," Shanahan said on KNBR's "Dirty Work" show Thursday. "I think he had a real good idea that Brock was getting there, was going to be ready this week. It wasn’t something that I really had to have a big meeting with or anything, but I did before we went out on the practice field.
"I did call him in just to tell him how much I appreciated how well he played during that time and to thank him for it. I was joking just a second ago with Matt, but my wife always tells me I can give compliments more. I just assume people know. She goes, 'People don’t always just assume how you think.' I’m like, 'How can he not think that? I don’t need to tell him that. He definitely knows how good I think he played.' But maybe my wife’s right. Maybe I should let him know. And so I just called him in and said that I appreciated it."
The appreciation was a two-way street.
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Jones was grateful for the opportunity, and he made sure to let his coach know he would be ready to go if needed again.
"And he’s like, 'Hey man, I enjoyed it. I’m going to go have fun on the scout team today. And I’ll be ready if I’m ever needed again,' " Shanahan said. "So Mac handled it great since the beginning. Him and Brock have been studs in the room together. They help each other a ton. They enjoy each other.
"And I’m really pumped to have him this year and I’m really pumped that we have him next year also.”
Purdy, speaking to reporters Thursday, also expressed his gratitude to Jones for stepping in while he got himself right.
Surely, the 49ers Faithful also are grateful for Jones' services, but perhaps even more appreciative of his positive and fun attitude along the way.