San Francisco 49ers fans know their team doesn't boast the No. 1 quarterback room heading into 2026, yet they're fully aware the one-two tandem of Brock Purdy and Mac Jones aren't at the very bottom either.
So, where in the middle do the Niners reside?
FanSided's Christopher Kline attempted to answer this by ranking all 32 teams by their quarterback room, including primary backups, third-stringers and anyone else remaining on the depth chart.
Understandably, San Francisco is in something of an envious spot. 2025 proved it has two capable starters under contract, as Jones helped the 49ers go 5-3 during Purdy's extended absence with a turf-toe injury. That led to no shortage of trade speculation, but as the offseason has drawn along, it seems as if the Niners have no immediate desire to move their QB2.
Yet that dynamic wasn't anywhere close enough to propel San Francisco into the top five (or even the top 10) of Kline's rankings.
No, according to the FanSided columnist, the 49ers boast a QB room that ranks 13th.
FanSided QB room rankings may rile up some 49ers fans
Putting the Niners at No. 13 isn't horrible, especially considering the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks ranked a mere one spot better. Although many a San Francisco fan may not like the thought of Sam Darnold ranking ahead of the Purdy-Jones duo.
For what it's worth, the Jared Goff-led Detroit Lions (No. 9) and the Dak Prescott-led Dallas Cowboys (No. 8) ranked ahead of the 49ers, too.
Fans can argue about placements all they want, yes. But there's a nugget in Kline's analysis that'll probably make a few of the Faithful scoff quite a bit:
It's honestly fair to wonder if San Francisco's backup is secretly better than its starter. Brock Purdy continues to get the job done. His ability to process the field and get creative with his deliveries is catnip for Kyle Shanahan. Purdy has mobility outside the pocket, too, and while the arm isn't elite, Purdy can thread the needle into some pretty tight windows.
Mac Jones, however, was the real standout last season, completing 69.6 percent of his passes and throwing for 13 touchdowns in eight starts for the Niners, who went 5-3 in Purdy's absence.
Related story: 2 key plays showed why 49ers are better with Brock Purdy over Mac Jones
It sounds like Kline revisited last year's QB controversy that was a hot topic, one suggesting Jones was actually the better quarterback over Purdy. Yet that completely overshadows many of Purdy's game-changing plays down the stretch (just ask the Chicago Bears), and it doesn't take into account how San Francisco's offense grew red-hot after QB1 returned from injury.
Aside from one shaky game against the Carolina Panthers, Purdy was on point. Jones was great, but Purdy showcased why the 49ers committed big money to him.
Kline may not have watched every Niners game to know this, and that's understandable. And the Jones narrative is a fair one; more of a testament to how the backup performed when needed rather than an indictment against Purdy.