Oct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) reacts after the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
San Francisco 49ers' Backup QB Situation Is Among the Best — Here's Why 1
The San Francisco 49ers have quietly built one of the NFL’s more dependable backup quarterback situations, giving the team valuable insurance behind its starter. Mac Jones has emerged as a steady option, and his performance has made the position a strength as the 2026 season progresses.
Jones has benefited from meaningful opportunities and has shown enough poise to reinforce the 49ers’ confidence in him. His ability to operate the offense without completely changing its identity gives San Francisco a reliable option if injuries force the team to turn to its second quarterback.
San Francisco 49ers, Mac Jones, Atlanta Falcons, NFC SouthSan Francisco 49ers, Mac Jones, Atlanta Falcons, NFC South
Quarterback Mac Jones (10) runs onto the field during a week 9 game between New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
That reliability has become increasingly valuable around the league, where quarterback injuries have created sudden openings for players who might otherwise remain on the sideline. Jones’ experience and familiarity with defenses have helped raise his value, particularly as teams search for quarterbacks capable of stepping into difficult situations without an extended adjustment period.
For San Francisco, the benefit extends beyond simply having an experienced backup on the roster. Jones provides the coaching staff with a quarterback who can execute the offense, manage pressure and keep the team competitive when circumstances require him to take meaningful snaps.
NFL Analysis Counts San Francisco 49ers’ Backup QB Situation Among the Best
San Francisco 49ers, Mac Jones, Carolina PanthersSan Francisco 49ers, Mac Jones, Carolina Panthers
Nov 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Quarterback Mac Jones (10) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
San Francisco’s backup quarterback is one of the best in the league. This is detailed more in an analysis by Garrett Podell for CBS Sports.
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan reportedly wanted to select Mac Jones as high as third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft before settling on Lance, but eventually got his guy years later. With Pro Bowl starter Brock Purdy dealing with a turf toe injury last season, the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up more than kept the 49ers afloat. Jones profiled as a fringe top 10 quarterback from Weeks 2-10, ranking in the top 10 in completion percentage, passing yards and sack rate and just outside the top 10 in passing touchdowns, passer rating, expected points added (EPA) per dropback.
The eight starts he had last season present a solid sample size, indicative that Jones could be an NFL starting quarterback again while still just 28 years old.
His emergence has also changed the conversation surrounding the 49ers’ quarterback depth. Rather than viewing the backup position as a potential weakness, San Francisco can approach the season knowing it has a player capable of providing stability if the starter misses time, which is increasingly important over a long campaign.
The 49ers still need their starting quarterback to remain healthy if they want to maximize their ceiling, but dependable depth can protect a season from being derailed by an unexpected absence. With Jones playing an increasingly important role, San Francisco has one of the more reassuring backup quarterback situations in the league.