San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has been consistent in his approach to wanting a quality backup for his starter.
So far, the backup has always had experience. Jimmy Garoppolo, Sam Darnold, Josh Dobbs, Josh Johnson, and now Mac Jones.
Kurtis Rourke lacks that, which might be one of the driving factors for Lynch to be stingy when it comes to dealing Jones.
During an appearance on KNBR Thursday, Lynch didn’t want to address whether he’s received any calls about Jones in light of the recent
quarterback injuries. Lynch said, “I’m going to leave that alone.”
There has been no shortage of injuries at the most important position in all sports over the past two weeks:
Sam Darnold (glute)
Caleb Williams (hamstring)
Jayden Daniels (dislocated elbow)
Jaxson Dart (MCL sprain)
The Falcons are getting Michael Penix Jr. back from an injury. Their starter, Tua Tagovailoa, had an oblique injury.
We’re early enough in the season that every team thinks they have a chance. In Atlanta and New York’s case, each has a first-year head coach with no prior ties to the current quarterbacks.
Despite what’s happening around the NFL in 2026, Lynch referenced the 49ers quarterback room from the late 1980s and early ’90s:
“What I will tell you is I think a lot of people see all of that and say, ‘Okay, there’s opportunity.’ It also tells you we’re very fortunate to have a guy like Brock, franchise quarterback.
But then to have a guy like Mac, in the event, there’s no more important position in football. They’re all important, but I think we know, as your quarterback goes, so goes your team.
And so, I think it’s a really special situation to have Brock [Purdy] here, to have Mac here, and then to have a guy we’re really excited about with Kurtis Rourke.
And I think back to Bill Walsh, and maybe he was onto something when he had Joe Montana, but he also brought Steve Young in here, and had Steve Bono behind them.
So, it’s a good position to be in a position of strength at, and it provides opportunities in a number of ways. The most important way being you’re well insulated in the event something were ever to happen.”
It’s easy to say that you’d trade away Jones when you’re not in Lynch’s seat. There are no repercussions for those of us on the outside. He’s also coming off a season where the backup started nearly half the season.
That doesn’t mean Lynch won’t be influenced over the next month and a half by offers that may be too good to turn down.
With Jones headed to free agency, the question is what pick it would take for the 49ers to part ways with their backup. The 2027 NFL Draft is projected to be the best of the decade in terms of quality and depth.
A third-round pick would be a no-brainer. A fourth-round pick might do the trick, especially if Brock Purdy continues to play at an MVP level.
The 49ers don’t have to make any moves, but are also in a position to capitalize on a desperate team.
