What Brock Purdy’s success could mean for each QB on 49ers roster

49ers Quarterback No. 3: Josh Johnson

Veteran quarterback Josh Johnson is a journeyman who also happens to play quarterback. In 13 NFL seasons, he’s played for 14 different teams at the pro level.

He’s always been a viable backup, but it never progresses anything beyond that. He’s got talent, that’s evident by his multiple tenures with head coach Kyle Shanahan. But “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” has pretty much summed up his career.

Johnson has played for the 49ers four times and has served under coach Shanahan for three different teams.

General manager John Lynch and Co. scooped Johnson up in a hurry off the free-agent wire when Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a season-ending injury. But, let’s not create false hope. With Brock Purdy continuing to ascend and the franchise’s huge investment in starter Trey Lance, Johnson will be the first quarterback on his way out.

However, it’s probably safe to say that if injuries fire up again next year, Shanahan has Johnson on speed dial.