Adrian Martinez’ time with Nebraska – and then a season at Kansas State – has been well-chronicled. He then interned with the Huskers Athletic Department before being signed by the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions
for the 2024 season.
It worked out pretty well.
The Stallions ended up winning the UFL league championship and Martinez was awarded both the regular season and championship game’s MVP awards. The NFL noticed with the Jets in the fall of 2024 and the 49ers in 2025 signing him to their practice squads, where many 3rd string QB’s reside.
With Brock Purdy’s injury, Martinez was elevated to the roster as the backup quarterback. On Sunday, Martinez made his first appearance in an NFL game…thanks to a bit of skullduggery from current starter and former Alabama QB Mac Jones.
With a 10-point lead and a first down, Jones signaled for Martinez to enter the game and snuck off the field. Martinez came in, took a knee on the final snap and now has a “1” under the Games Played line in his career stats.
What was Jones thinking?
“[Coach Kyle Shanahan] already took his headset off, and I’m like, ‘Go on, Adrian.’ So I just subbed myself out, snuck to the sideline, but I was happy. I think Adrian was going to go in either way…so, once we were taking a knee, I definitely wanted Adrian to be there.”
According to Jones, Martinez has endeared himself to his teammates and deserved a chance to take the field.
“He’s just been awesome, to be honest. He’s a good friend of mine. Just gotten to know him — he’s been a great voice in that room along with Brock [Purdy] and [Kurtis] Rourke as well, so we’ve got a great room.”
