The San Francisco 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey to supercharge Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and the results have been outstanding. However, the hallmark of Shanahan’s system, tracing back to his father Mike’s days with the Denver Broncos, has always been the ability to succeed with under-the-radar running backs, like Jordan Mason.
With McCaffrey unexpectedly sidelined on Monday night due to a calf injury and Eli Mitchell on injured reserve, it was Mason’s moment to step up. In his first NFL start, the undrafted free agent delivered a career-best performance, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, leading the 49ers to a dominant 32-19 win over the New York Jets.
Mason didn’t carry the team alone. Deebo Samuel contributed with backfield duties and a touchdown, George Kittle made key plays, and quarterback Brock Purdy shook off a slow start to get into rhythm. Purdy connected with fullback Kyle Juszczyk for a crucial 34-yard catch, setting up Mason’s touchdown early in the third quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach. The 49ers’ defense, one of the best in the NFL, also played a major role in the win. For Mason, it was a dream come true—an opportunity to shine when the spotlight was on him.
In a postgame interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters, Mason revealed he only found out about his starting role “maybe Friday, Friday night, something like that.” Even with more notice than scrambling fantasy football managers who had McCaffrey in their lineups, Mason made the most of his chance.
The 49ers’ offense was as efficient as ever, scoring on eight straight possessions after an initial punt. Meanwhile, their defense wrecked Aaron Rodgers’ return to action after his Achilles injury, limiting him to 167 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Although the 49ers are undoubtedly stronger with McCaffrey, Monday’s performance highlighted their depth. Few teams can plug in an undrafted free agent to replace the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year and still dominate.
49ers Roll Past the Jets
The Jets didn’t start the night poorly. Rodgers, playing just his second game with New York and his first full contest after missing almost all of last season with a torn Achilles, led a touchdown drive in the first quarter, capped by a Breece Hall score to give the Jets a 7-3 lead.
New York’s defense also looked sharp early, pressuring Purdy and limiting the 49ers’ run game. After a Hall fumble, the Jets’ defense forced a quick three-and-out, and the 49ers settled for a field goal. At that point, it seemed like the 49ers might struggle against New York’s highly regarded defense.
However, the 49ers adjusted. Purdy began to find open receivers, and with contributions from Samuel, Kittle, and Juwan Johnson, San Francisco started to pull away. Mason’s third-quarter touchdown made it 23-7, and then Rodgers made a costly mistake—under pressure, he tried to squeeze a pass to Garrett Wilson, only for cornerback Deommodore Lenoir to tip it and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles to intercept it. With the 49ers’ defense in control, the game was effectively over.
Though it’s still early in the season, the 49ers already look like one of the NFL’s top teams, even without McCaffrey.
Jets Still Have Work to Do
Monday’s loss was a tough blow for the Jets. Coming into the season with renewed hope thanks to Rodgers’ return, they quickly discovered they weren’t on the 49ers’ level—at least not yet. Rodgers, still knocking off rust after playing only four snaps since January 2023, should improve as the season progresses. And with one of the league’s top defenses, New York has the potential to turn things around.
But Monday’s result says more about the 49ers than the Jets. San Francisco’s ability to move the Jets’ defense on the line and consistently create space for Mason was impressive, and Purdy regularly found open receivers when needed. Their defense, one of the best in the NFL, also limited Rodgers’ impact in his comeback game.
The Jets have time to bounce back, but the 49ers already look like Super Bowl contenders. And with McCaffrey set to return, they’ll be even more formidable.
