The San Francisco 49ers have a short, important window to evaluate rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke. What the team sees from him in practice over the next three weeks could affect whether they keep Mac Jones as a backup or explore trading him in the offseason.
Why Rourke is suddenly important
The 49ers drafted Kurtis Rourke in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft even though he was recovering from knee surgery. Now that he’s medically cleared, the team has opened a 21-day practice window. During this time, Rourke will practice with the team and show what he can do. After the 21 days, the 49ers must either activate him to the 53-man roster or place him back on the non-football injury list for the rest of the season.
Roster wrinkle that matters
Moving Rourke to the practice squad would require the 49ers to first waive him — a risky step the team is unlikely to take. That makes the 21-day evaluation even more significant: the club will need to decide if Rourke belongs on the main roster or stays sidelined on the injury list.
Rourke’s background in simple terms
Rourke is 25 and played six seasons of college football. He spent five seasons at Ohio University and finished his college career at Indiana. In his last season he threw for 3,042 yards with 29 touchdowns and just five interceptions, finishing ninth in Heisman Trophy voting. He played that final season with a torn ACL and had surgery in January 2025.
What this means for Mac Jones
Mac Jones is under contract through 2026 and made $3.25 million this season in salary and bonuses. He started eight games while Brock Purdy was injured and helped the 49ers to a 9-4 overall record (the team went 5-3 in Jones’ starts). Jones completed nearly 70% of his passes this season, throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Why the 49ers might consider a trade
If the 49ers like Rourke’s chances as a long-term backup, they could feel comfortable exploring trade offers for Jones. Many teams may be searching for a starter next season — making Jones a potentially attractive trade asset. The evaluation of Rourke therefore has direct influence: if he looks ready to be the backup behind Brock Purdy, the 49ers could gain draft capital by moving Jones.
What to watch during Rourke’s practice window
- Accuracy & decision-making: Does he make consistent, accurate throws under pressure?
- Readiness after injury: How does his knee hold up in quick movement and in extended sessions?
- Command of the offense: Can he make pre-snap reads and communicate with teammates?
- Consistency: Is he reliably productive across multiple practices, not just one good day?
Why this matters to 49ers fans
The team’s depth chart and quarterback plan for 2026 could change quickly. If Rourke impresses, the 49ers can keep continuity behind Brock Purdy and potentially convert Jones into a trade pick. If Rourke needs more time, Jones likely stays as insurance and the team will hold off on trade conversations.
Bottom line
Kurtis Rourke’s three-week practice window is more than a recovery milestone — it’s a short audition that could shape the 49ers’ offseason decisions, including Mac Jones’ future. The team will weigh his health, accuracy, and poise in practice before deciding whether to activate him or keep him on the injury list. What the 49ers learn in this window will determine whether Jones remains a backup or becomes a tradable asset.
Conclusion
The next 21 days will tell us how ready Kurtis Rourke is and how that readiness affects Mac Jones’ role with the 49ers. A strong showing by Rourke could make Jones expendable in trade talks; a cautious evaluation would likely keep Jones in San Francisco as stable depth. Either way, this brief practice period is a key moment for both quarterbacks and for the 49ers’ plans heading into 2026.
