The San Francisco 49ers' backup quarterback, Mac Jones, came up big for the team last year. He filled in for the injured Brock Purdy toward the start of the season and kept the Niners afloat by winning five of his eight starts.
Now, with Purdy healthy and ready to roll as the QB1, the Niners have been rumored to be shopping Jones around.
The talks highlight a disturbing trend that seems to be permeating throughout the roster, and, if the Niners aren't careful, it could cost them in the long run.
Throughout the offseason, San Francisco has shown no urgency to build or maintain depth at numerous positions. From letting backup running back Brian Robinson Jr. walk in free agency to failing to solidify holes in the offensive line, general manager John Lynch seems intent on living in a utopia in which all starters will play 17 games.
The problem is in front of 49ers' noses and they've decided to look away
Such a game plan is disturbing to say the least, especially from a franchise that has been plagued by injuries in recent years. Health has been such a problem, in fact, the organization looked into why San Francisco was getting bitten by the injury bug more than other teams. They were even desperate enough to check in on viral conspiracy theories.
Now, instead of protecting themselves with a substantial depth chart, they are on the verge of thinning their roster even further.
If Jones is indeed traded, it will leave Kurtis Rourke in line to back up Purdy. Rouke was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 draft and has yet to throw a pass in the NFL. The former Indiana QB serving as a backup wouldn't even be the only second-stringer without experience. Jordan James has yet to register a carry in a regular-season game and is set to back up star running back Christian McCaffrey.
Needless to say, it's a bold strategy. At some point, one has to suspect the bubble will burst, and the 49ers will be forced to rely on their mess of unproven talent lurking around on the depth chart.
How much reliance will be placed on these players is yet to be seen, but Niners fans might have no other choice but to pray their superstars stay healthy for the duration of the season.
Otherwise, their team could be in trouble.
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