As the regular season winds down and the postseason picture sharpens into focus, the San Francisco 49ers are making the kind of under-the-radar roster moves that often pay dividends in January. This week, they brought quarterback Adrian Martinez back into the fold on the practice squad and hosted tryouts for a pair of offensive linemen, quietly reinforcing depth at two key positions as the team eyes a deep playoff run.
Let’s start with the quarterback room. Martinez, who recently cleared waivers after a stint with the New York Jets, returns to familiar territory in Santa Clara.
He spent time with the 49ers earlier this season, and while he’s not expected to see the field on Sundays, his value lies in what he brings to the practice field. Martinez knows Kyle Shanahan’s system, understands the rhythm of the offense, and can step in seamlessly as a scout team quarterback.
That matters-especially now. With the postseason looming, the 49ers are preparing for the possibility of facing mobile quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts or Baker Mayfield.
Martinez’s athleticism makes him a strong fit to simulate those kinds of dual-threat signal-callers in practice. He gives the defense a real look at the kind of movement, improvisation, and speed they’ll need to contain in January.
It’s a subtle move, but one that sharpens the team’s edge heading into the most critical stretch of the season.
There’s also a strategic element to this signing when it comes to managing reps. Rookie Kurtis Rourke continues to get evaluated in practice, and with the possibility of playoff seeding being locked in soon, the 49ers may look to ease the workload on their top quarterbacks. Having Martinez around gives them the flexibility to do just that without compromising the quality of their prep work.
On the offensive line front, San Francisco hosted tryouts for guards Iosua Opeta and Aiden Williams, both of whom saw preseason action at right guard with their previous teams. These aren’t splashy names, but they’re experienced, and that’s exactly what you want in December. Even if no immediate signing comes from these workouts, the 49ers now have fresh evaluations on two interior linemen they can call on if injuries strike.
And injuries are always part of the equation this time of year. Left guard Spencer Burford is working through knee and ankle issues, and while Kyle Shanahan said earlier this week that things “checked out pretty good,” the team is clearly keeping its options open.
Burford has had his ups and downs this season, and the coaching staff appears to be weighing how best to manage his workload as the postseason approaches. Whether that means rotating reps or having a contingency plan ready, it’s a smart bit of forward-thinking.
This is the time of year when contenders start tightening the screws. Every roster spot matters.
Every rep in practice counts. And every small decision can have a ripple effect in January.
The 49ers aren’t overhauling anything here, but they’re making calculated moves-adding a mobile scout team quarterback, evaluating offensive line depth, and staying flexible with their personnel.
It’s the kind of quiet preparation that doesn’t grab headlines but often shows up when the games matter most. San Francisco isn’t just coasting into the postseason-they’re sharpening their edge, one smart move at a time.