49ers coaches talk Purdy's growth, McCaffrey's health, Mac Jones, more

Several San Francisco 49ers offensive assistant coaches spoke with reporters on Tuesday, providing key insights into the team's top players and their outlook for the 2025 NFL season.

While the 49ers have experienced significant offseason changes, the offensive side of the ball remains relatively stable, anchored by franchise quarterback Brock Purdy, newly acquired backup Mac Jones, and All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.

Brock Purdy focused on reaching the next level

With a lucrative contract extension now placing Brock Purdy among the NFL's highest-paid players, expectations for his continued development have never been higher. He enters the new season working under a new quarterbacks coach—Mick Lombardi, who replaces Brian Griese.

Lombardi, who spoke with the media on Tuesday, was asked what Purdy needs to do to elevate his game even further.

"I think, like any quarterback, I think your job as quarterback is to take care of the football, and score points, and find completions," Lombardi explained. "And if you do that, I think wins find their way. I think we take it play-by-play. I don't think there's a next step that's going to be solved tomorrow or the next game. I think it's an ongoing process, and we're working on that right now.

"But I think focus on the fundamentals, finding completions, and taking it down-by-down, play-by-play. And can we get better from the meeting tomorrow to the next meeting, and not focus on 10 meetings from now or Week 5 versus whoever?"

Lombardi has only recently begun working with Purdy, but the quarterback's drive to improve has already made an impression.

"A lot of players say they want to be coached hard, and I really think he does want to be coached hard," Lombardi said. "He wants to be held to a high standard, and I think he's the same person every day. He doesn't change."

Why the 49ers wanted Mac Jones

The 49ers traded for Mac Jones this offseason, reuniting him with Lombardi, who worked with Jones during his rookie season in New England. Now backing up Purdy, Jones gives San Francisco a capable and experienced No. 2 option.

"Mac's a talented player," Lombardi noted. "I think he's proven that in the NFL in his four years. We won a lot of games this rookie season, which was cool. But just a really talented player, really smart, can distribute the football, and can play on time and in rhythm.

"And I think some of those things showed up, obviously, his first four years, which obviously made him a strong candidate or be the backup here behind Brock."

Lombardi commented that despite learning his fourth system in as many years, Jones has embraced the transition.

"The one thing I love about Mac is he's always here, he's always willing to try new things," Lombardi said. "He's not stuck in his ways, and he really wants to try and do it our way, and he wants to help Brock, and he wants to help Tanner [Mordecai], and he wants to help me. And I think that's what's really cool about him.

"He just wants to be a student of the game and really focus on what he can do. And he's shown that out there in a couple of days of practice, really kind of getting the ball out of his hands and playing on time. And I think he is showing the skill set that made him such a high draft pick in 2021."

Christian McCaffrey is 'ready to go'

After an injury-plagued 2024 campaign that saw him limited to just four games, Christian McCaffrey is eager to return to his 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year form. Early reports suggest he looks strong and healthy in offseason workouts.

Understandably, the media spotlight has been on McCaffrey this offseason. However, running backs coach Bobby Turner is encouraged by what he's seen so far.

"I see Christian being Christian, and then, he's out there competing and working his tail off like he always does," Turner said. "So, that's Christian. He has a standard, and he wants to be the best of the best, and that's what I see."

When asked about McCaffrey's health, Turner didn't hesitate.

"He's ready to go, and he's ready to go play every day," Turner said before adding, "I'm definitely excited."

What the 49ers saw in Kurtis Rourke

With one of their three seventh-round picks, the 49ers selected quarterback Kurtis Rourke out of Indiana. Although he's not expected to play a significant role in 2025, recovering from ACL surgery in January, the team saw potential in the rookie.

Lombardi shared what stood out about Rourke during the pre-draft process, noting that the quarterback played through the injury while leading Indiana to a successful season.

"He showed toughness, showed good arm strength, showed grit," Lombardi said. "You go watch him, and you find out he played the whole year with a torn ACL, and you're like, 'Wow, that's pretty impressive.'

"Had good pocket presence, and talking to him in the pre-draft process, he was really intelligent, great kid, good family."

The 49ers are in no rush to get Rourke on the field, thanks to their deep quarterback room, but they're excited about his long-term potential and are happy to have him on the roster.