The San Francisco 49ers are about to get a closer look at rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke - and it could end up shaping some important decisions heading into the offseason.
With Adrian Martinez released from the practice squad on Tuesday, the 49ers are down to just three quarterbacks in the building. That opens the door for Rourke, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, to get valuable reps over the next three weeks. And while he’s not expected to see game action this season, what he shows during this evaluation window could carry real weight.
Rourke was something of a long-term investment when the Niners drafted him. He was coming off ACL surgery that essentially ruled out any immediate contributions.
But now, nearly a year removed from that injury and officially cleared to return, the 49ers have opened his 21-day practice window. At the end of that stretch, the team will have to make a call: activate him to the 53-man roster or leave him on the non-football injury list for the remainder of the season.
Sending him to the practice squad isn’t a likely option - not without exposing him to waivers first, and that’s a risk the 49ers probably aren’t eager to take.
Rourke’s college résumé is intriguing. After five years at Ohio University, he transferred to Indiana for his final season and played through a torn ACL - the same injury that required surgery in January.
Despite the setback, he still managed to throw for 3,042 yards, 29 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, finishing ninth in Heisman voting. That kind of production, especially under those circumstances, speaks to both his toughness and his upside.
The 49ers chose Rourke before addressing some more immediate needs - like offensive line depth - which tells you they saw something worth betting on. Now, they’ll get their first real look at how that bet is developing.
Looking ahead, Rourke could be in line to back up Brock Purdy as early as next season. That’s where things get interesting.
Mac Jones, who filled in admirably during Purdy’s eight-game absence with a toe injury, is under contract through 2026. In that stretch, Jones helped keep the 49ers afloat, going 5-3 as a starter and completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He’s played a key role in San Francisco’s current 9-4 record with four games left in the regular season.
But Jones is also set to make $3.25 million next year in salary and bonuses - a reasonable number for a starting-caliber quarterback, and potentially a valuable trade chip for a team in need. With as many as 10 franchises potentially looking for a new QB in 2026, the 49ers could find themselves fielding calls.
And that’s where Rourke’s next three weeks come into focus. If he looks the part - if he shows he can be a capable No. 2 behind Purdy - the 49ers might be more willing to listen to those offers for Jones. It’s not just about what Rourke can do now; it’s about what he might allow them to do later.
For now, it’s a wait-and-see. But in a quarterback-driven league, even a three-week practice window can carry long-term implications.