Who Should I Start? Mac Jones or Michael Penix Jr.

Sunday, November 16, 8:11 AM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones will head back to the bench ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Jones has started in each of the last six games while Brock Purdy (toe) was sidelined. Now, Purdy is ready to play, so Jones will return to being the backup. However, Jones was impressive during his time as the starter. He threw for 2,151 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight games. It sounds like this solid play has made him a prime trade candidate for the 2026 season. Jones is still under control with the organization after signing a two-year, seven million deal with the organization this offseason. Purdy is viewed as the franchise quarterback in San Francisco, so moving Jones makes sense. Given his play this season, Jones should draw some interest in the trade market. This is something to monitor during the offseason.

Wednesday, November 26, 1:06 PM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) had successful surgery on his knee on Tuesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Penix had full reconstructive surgery to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee, which will keep him out for the rest of this season and possibly for the start of the 2026 season next fall. The 25-year-old second-year signal-caller is facing a nine-month recovery, which will force Atlanta to rethink its long-term plan at the QB position this offseason. This is Penix's third ACL reconstruction in his career after he had two knee surgeries in college. Kirk Cousins will start the rest of the year under center for the Falcons, but depending on how he finishes the season, the Falcons could opt out of the final two seasons of his four-year deal.