San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy missed eight games last season due to a turf toe injury. As the team prepares for the 2026 season, the hope is that Purdy and the rest of the roster can avoid the injury issues that plagued the team a year ago and remain healthy throughout the campaign.

However, if the unthinkable happens and Purdy misses significant time again, one CBS Sports writer believes the 49ers are better equipped than any other NFL contender to handle the loss of their starting quarterback.


Tyler Sullivan ranked the backup quarterback situations for the league's top contenders, and the 49ers came in at No. 1 thanks to the presence of veteran quarterback Mac Jones behind Purdy on the depth chart.

Jones' performance last season gave San Francisco confidence in its quarterback room.

"Jones led the Niners to a 5-3 record as the starter, which kept them in the division race as well as in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the conference," Sullivan wrote. "In his starts, Jones' numbers were stellar, completing 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions for a 97.4 passer rating."

There was plenty of speculation that Jones' strong play would generate significant trade interest heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. While teams reportedly showed interest, the 49ers placed a high value on keeping their backup quarterback, and their asking price was viewed as too steep by potential suitors.

Jones is entering the final year of the two-year contract he signed with San Francisco in 2025 and is scheduled to become a free agent in 2027. Whether he watches from the sideline for the entire season or is forced into action again and continues to perform at a high level, he'll command substantial interest on the open market.


The veteran quarterback has already shown that he can still lead an NFL offense.

"As he looks towards free agency next offseason, it wouldn't be surprising if he finds himself back as a team's QB1 by this time next year," Sullivan wrote. "For now, however, he's the best backup in the league."

For the 49ers, having a proven option like Jones behind Purdy provides valuable insurance as the team enters a season with championship expectations.

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