The San Francisco 49ers announced they opened Kurtis Rourke’s practice window. Rourke, who is still expected to redshirt this season, is finally healthy enough after recovering from knee surgery in January 2025. By opening his practice window, the 49ers have three weeks to figure out if Rourke is an upgrade from Adrian Martinez, who is currently on the practice squad.
It may not seem like a big deal, but the San Francisco 49ers might want to find out what they have in the rookie quarterback, given the current quarterback landscape for the 2026 NFL season. Mac Jones figures to have multiple suitors this offseason.
The Minnesota Vikings are what most analysts are penciling in as Jones’ next team, but the Jets, Raiders, Browns, Steelers, Cardinals, and potentially the Dolphins, Panthers, and Falcons could all potentially need a new quarterback. The 49ers can award the highest bidder.
Martinez was an emergency signing and likely a placeholder until Rourke returned. Now, Rourke gets a three-week audition to prove he’s worthy of being the QB2 behind Brock Purdy next year, or whether the team needs to make another investment.
Rourke’s rookie contract will also have a say in that, but quarterback isn’t a position you can be cheap at, not with the way injuries have gone for the 49ers.
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