The San Francisco 49ers have officially opened the practice window for rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke, signaling the next step in his recovery from knee surgery earlier this year. While Rourke is still expected to redshirt this season, this move gives the Niners a valuable three-week stretch to evaluate their young signal-caller - and potentially make some decisions that could shape their quarterback room heading into 2026.
Now healthy for the first time since undergoing surgery in January, Rourke steps into a key developmental window. He's not being rushed into action, but the timing here is telling.
The 49ers want to see what they’ve got. With Adrian Martinez currently holding a spot on the practice squad, this is essentially a head-to-head audition between two young quarterbacks - one who was an emergency signing, and another the team has been waiting on.
This isn’t just about filling out the depth chart. It’s about preparing for what could be a chaotic quarterback market in 2026.
Mac Jones is expected to draw interest from multiple teams this offseason, and the list of quarterback-needy franchises is long - think Vikings, Jets, Raiders, Browns, Steelers, Cardinals, and maybe even the Dolphins, Panthers, or Falcons. That kind of demand could drive prices up, and the 49ers, with a valuable asset in Jones, might be in a position to capitalize.
But before they make any big moves, San Francisco needs to know whether Rourke is a viable option to back up Brock Purdy next season. If he is, that changes the equation. If he’s not, it might force the front office to invest in another quarterback - either through free agency, trade, or the draft.
Rourke’s rookie contract adds another layer to the equation. It’s cost-controlled, which is always a plus, but quarterback is one position where you can’t afford to cut corners - especially not in San Francisco, where injuries have repeatedly tested the depth chart in recent seasons.
For now, Rourke has a three-week window to show he belongs. The 49ers will be watching closely, not just for what he can do today, but what he might become tomorrow.