Speaking on The Krueg Show with Larry Krueger, Smith provided a detailed breakdown of why Purdy gives the 49ers their best shot at a championship. “Yeah, I think he’s got a great chance. This is a guy that I think will always give you a chance to be in contention,” Smith stated.

Smith is confident that Purdy can navigate the team through any rough stretches, especially within an NFC West division where the Los Angeles Rams consistently loom as the primary threat. On top of that, the addition of veteran wide receiver Mike Evans provides an elite perimeter weapon to elevate the entire offensive unit.

Smith believes we haven’t seen the best of Purdy yet

Though Purdy dealt with an injury-shortened stretch last year, he still guided the 49ers to a strong 7-2-0 run during his starts, demonstrating high-level efficiency. “I still think Brock’s best days are ahead, and I think he has the skillset to play high-level football for a long time,” Smith noted.

Smith also pushed back against the common criticisms that often dog Purdy, highlighting how his anticipation makes him unique for the position and a perfect match for Shanahan’s scheme. “This is the guy that battles the ‘game manager’ thing. Like he’s just a product of the system. It just couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Heading into the upcoming 2026 NFL season, Purdy will not only be fully healthy but will also have stability in the quarterback room with Mac Jones returning as the backup. With a locked-in roster, San Francisco is well-positioned to secure another postseason berth without having to endure a grueling divisional dogfight.

It is no secret that San Francisco has notoriously struggled with the injury bug in recent years. While veteran fullback Kyle Juszczyk and others have previously downplayed structural or substitution theories regarding the team’s health woes, the lingering question remains whether the roster can finally stay healthy in 2026.

For Purdy, availability is the top priority right now—especially with a heavily revamped wide receiver room. The quarterback is thrilled about the raw talent surrounding him but suggested that staying on the field during the offseason is the only way for the unit to familiarize themselves with the system and unlock their full potential.

“Our receiving corps as a whole, we’re really excited about right now,” Brock Purdy said during the Dwight Clark Legacy Series in an interview with Laura Britt. “Everyone’s healthy and good. We got to keep it going and just keep stacking days and I think we have a really good corps as a whole.”

If the 49ers stay healthy, the NFC should be cautious

Under the leadership of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, the 49ers have consistently proven to be a dominant force in the NFC. Unfortunately, poorly timed injuries have routinely prevented the team from being as explosive and fierce as they are on paper.

San Francisco has unfairly earned a reputation as a team snakebit by medical bad luck. Nevertheless, the front office has diligently adjusted training and conditioning programs throughout the offseason to mitigate health issues and sustain a durable group through the grueling winter months.

Even with a depleted roster in 2025, the 49ers managed to fight their way into the postseason. If they can keep their core intact this year, many believe they have the firepower to reclaim the NFC West title—even with the rival Seattle Seahawks currently reigning as the Super Bowl LX champions.

A reloaded offense around Brock Purdy

With Brandon Aiyuk effectively out the door in San Francisco, the front office aggressively pivoted to secure future Hall of Famer Mike Evans as his premier replacement. The elite veteran has dealt with minor injuries of his own recently, but when healthy, he remains one of the most dominant boundary targets in the league.

A star-studded arsenal featuring Evans, Christian McCaffrey, a healthy Ricky Pearsall, veteran slot-weapon Christian Kirk, and tight end George Kittle provides Purdy with an embarrassment of riches. On paper, this collection of talent easily stands out as one of the most terrifying offensive units in the entire NFL.

On Wednesday, the 49ers and Jones agreed to terms on a revised deal that adds a $300,000 roster bonus, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Jones is now set to earn $3.55 million in total compensation this year, with an additional $2.25 million available through performance-based incentives.

With this move, the Niners lock in critical continuity behind center. While trade rumors swirled earlier this offseason, San Francisco’s steep asking price kept interested suitors at bay, and ultimately Kyle Shanahan secured Mac Jones’ continuity as he wanted.

Brock Purdy is No. 1, but Mac Jones is ready

While Brock Purdy remains the undisputed QB1 in San Francisco, Jones proved last season that he can keep the offense afloat at a moment’s notice. Filling in during Purdy’s battle with a turf toe injury, Jones stepped up to start eight of the 11 games he appeared in, guiding the team to a solid 5–3 record in relief.

Jones put together a highly efficient 2025 campaign, showcasing clear growth under Kyle Shanahan’s system:

• Completion Percentage: 69.6% (a career high)
• Passing Production: 2,151 yards
• Touchdown-to-Interception Ratio: 13 TDs to 6 INTs
• Passer Rating: 97.4

The road ahead: Free agency in 2027

Once the 2026 season concludes, Jones is scheduled to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent. Multiple quarterback-needy teams monitored his status this spring, viewing the 27-year-old as a high-upside veteran capable of earning a second chance at a starting role.

While a desperate team could theoretically still approach the 49ers with a massive trade package before the deadline, all signs point to Jones staying put for 2026. By serving as elite insurance for a Super Bowl contender, Jones has a prime opportunity to further rebuild his stock before entering a lucrative free-agency market in 2027.

Speaking to NBCSports Bay Area, Purdy said, “Obviously, we have what it takes to go all the way and win it, that’s when we’re at full strength and good to go. But even though we are at full strength and full health, that’s not guaranteed. That’s the cool thing about the guys we have in the locker room and organization: No one just sits there and says, ‘Oh, look at our roster and how beautiful it looks.’”

The 49ers have dealt with injury-plagued after injury-plagued season. Hence, the expectations around them have dimmed. But for Purdy, the team is still there, knocking on the door of a Super Bowl victory.

The 49ers have brought key pieces to win it all

The 49ers feel like they are just a few pieces away, so while they didn’t bring a lot of names, they did bring impact players to fill the holes on the roster. For instance, Jauan Jennings left the team and Brandon Aiyuk might do the same, but they brought in a massive upgrade in WR Mike Evans, and a veteran presence in Christian Kirk.

The 49ers also traded for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. Free agency saw them sign defensive end Cam Sample, and cornerback Jack Jones. Those names will bolster the defense and give depth to the squad.

Brock Purdy and Mike Evans could be a problem

While some people are still not fond of giving Brock Purdy a good rating, numbers speak for themselves. Purdy is a winner, and while not an elite quarterback, he is excellent. Now he has a Super Bowl winner and future Hall of Famer in Mike Evans, and things could propel to the sky.

Evans is a certified threat, especially in the red zone. Purdy is very accurate. And, to make it better, defenses will still have to deal or worry about players like tight end George Kittle, running back Christian McCaffrey, and a certain Kyle Shanahan calling the plays.

“I don’t know what it is, what it’s going to take for this guy to finally get the respect that I think he truly deserves,” Juszczyk said during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show.

“Season in, season out, he plays tremendously and I don’t know what it is. I don’t know if it’s just the fact that he’s not a first-round draft pick, if that is just going to be the story for his entire career and be kind of held against him. Maybe. I love the guy, as a person, as my quarterback, as a football player. He is the dude.”

Purdy has earned his place in the NFL

Despite being the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft (262nd overall), a position famously known as Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy has defied all odds by becoming a franchise quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. In just his second season, he led the team to Super Bowl LVIII following a stellar 2023 campaign where he threw for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and maintained a league-leading 113.0 passer rating.

During that postseason run, Purdy proved his composure by completing 66 passes for 774 yards and 3 touchdowns over three games, cementing his transition from an overlooked prospect to an elite NFL starter.

49ers put their trust in the contract

In May 2025, the San Francisco 49ers solidified their future by signing Purdy to a massive 5-year, $265 million contract extension, officially cementing his status as the team’s franchise quarterback. This landmark deal includes approximately $181 million in total guarantees and an average annual salary of $53 million, propelling him from one of the league’s lowest-paid players to one of the highest-earning signal-callers in the NFL.

By including a no-trade clause in the agreement, the Bay Area front office signaled their absolute commitment to Purdy, prioritizing his long-term stay as the centerpiece of the organization through the 2030 season.

“Kicker Eddy Pineiro and the 49ers reached agreement today on a four-year, $17 million extension that includes $10 million guaranteed, per his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. Pineiro is now off the market and will not become a free agent this week,” reported Adam Schefter on X (@adamschefter).

Last season, Pineiro was one of the players who helped Purdy and the 49ers secure key wins. The kicker converted 34 extra points while appearing in 14 games with San Francisco, finishing with an impressive 89.5% success rate, making 38 of his 34 attempts.

Pineiro was the most accurate kicker in 2025

The 49ers are investing in someone who has what it takes to eliminate concerns about extra points, and even more so about field goals that can win games when Purdy can’t get it done from the offensive line. Last season, he scored a total of 84 points thanks to 28 made kicks on 29 attempts, an impressive 96.6%, the most dominant mark in the NFL.

Going from earning $1.17 million in the 2025 season to signing a $17 million contract that will pay him a $4.25 million salary for 2026 is a major boost for Pineiro, whose longest field goal was a 59-yarder against the Rams.

“First and foremost, all glory to God. None of this is possible without Him. I’m incredibly thankful to the coaches and the entire organization for believing in me and trusting me to continue this journey with you. Signing this contract means the world to me and my family. To the fans — thank you for the constant support and love. The work continues,” Pineiro wrote on Instagram (@eddypineiro1).

The list of names was extensive and filled with stars. Brock Purdy, Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, George Kittle, and Trent Williams were out at various points during the schedule, and that proved impossible to overcome in the postseason.

Now, heading into 2026, a new challenge looms for the 49ers in their quest to win the Super Bowl. In a historic development, the NFL has confirmed another international game for San Francisco, something that could cause significant wear and tear.

How many international games will 49ers play in 2026?

The 49ers will play two international games during the 2026 season. It had already been officially announced that they will face the Rams in Australia, and now the NFL has confirmed that they will also play in Mexico City against an opponent yet to be determined.

When will the 49ers play in Mexico?

The San Francisco 49ers are expected to play in Mexico in November 2026, although the official date will not be known until the NFL releases the schedule in May. They will be the home team at Estadio Banorte.

49ers opponents for 2026 season

The 49ers’ home opponents for the 2026 season are the Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks, Broncos, Eagles, Raiders, Commanders, Vikings, and Dolphins. With the exception of Los Angeles, all are possible opponents for the game in Mexico City.

The away opponents will be the Arizona Cardinals, Rams (Melbourne), Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Chargers, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons.

The interesting question moving forward is who will join the former “Mr. Irrelevant” in the 49ers’ offense. Recent rumors have linked the team to the possible return to the Bay of one of its former stars: Deebo Samuel. However, according to Matt Maiocco, this seems unlikely, as does the continued presence of Jauan Jennings.

“I wouldn’t expect Jennings to be back to the #49ers. I wouldn’t expect Deebo to come back,” the insider revealed via 49ers & NFL News 24/7. The wide receiver spent just one season with the Washington Commanders, and many had hoped his return could be a possibility in this free agency. However, this now appears to have little basis.

Another name that was on Kyle Shanahan’s radar was George Pickens. However, the chances of him leaving Dallas Cowboys are slim, as he will likely be placed under the franchise tag and his market value is expected to be extremely high.

Brock Purdy’s weapons for 2026

Entering the 2026 season, Brock Purdy faces the most significant challenge of his young career as the 49ers‘ high-powered offense undergoes a painful transformation.

The most devastating blow is the loss of All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who is recovering from a torn Achilles suffered during the 2025 playoffs; while he is targeting a Week 1 return, his availability and explosiveness remain major question marks.

Furthermore, the potential departure of Brandon Aiyuk might leave a massive void in the receiving corps, forcing Purdy to rely heavily on the elite production of Christian McCaffrey, the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year.

With the veteran core fractured, the burden now shifts to younger talents like Ricky Pearsall and a revamped offensive line to ensure San Francisco remains a Super Bowl contender despite an increasingly empty arsenal.

While tight end George Kittle is skeptical about the electrical substation, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne just wants to come back to the team. “Hitting free agency this year, it’s gonna be fun. I want to go back to San Fran, so that’s the plan, but it’s all got to make sense,” Bourne said.

Bourne also spoke on the electrical substation issue earlier on the month, questioning why the grass at the 49ers’ practice facility turns brown while other fields remain green.

Kendrick Bourne had a very good year

The 49ers were very injured this year, and that left space for Bourne to flourish while the other receivers nursed their injuries. While his full season stats are not to leave anyone in awe, Bourne still put up decent numbers. He had 37 receptions for 551 yards.

However, it was on Week 5 and 6 where Bourne took the NFL by storm. He had back-to-back 142-yard games with 15 catches on 20 targets. Then, the Niners started to get other wideouts involved as they came back from injuries, but Bourne was still a good option. He started eight games last year.

Another star WR is also hitting free agency

Jauan Jennings is arguably the team’s best receiver. He had 643 yards last season where he played through many injuries. He still led the team with nine receiving touchdowns. However, last season the 49ers refused to extend him, and now he will be more expensive if the team wants to re-sign him. More likely than not, he is going elsewhere.

That could tempt the 49ers to actually re-sign Bourne. They saw his potential to be a top-tier weapon after all. Pairing him with Ricky Pearsall could be the way to go for Kyle Shanahan. Brock Purdy knows them both and chemistry could go a long way for the team.

“Honestly, I’m happy where I’m at. I love the 49ers. I want to keep winning and having fun. That’s all I care about,” Jones recently told TMZ Sports, where he was also asked about the substitution theory that has been mentioned by some of his teammates.

It’s worth noting that last season Jones threw a total of 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, totaling 2,151 yards in 11 games with the 49ers. He started eight games while filling in for Purdy, who was recovering from a foot injury, but eventually returned to the bench.

Jones could remain with the 49ers

One day before Jones’ recent comments to TMZ Sports, it was reported that the 49ers were not looking to move on from their backup quarterback for next season. He would remain alongside Purdy to continue supporting him and learning.

“The 49ers are NOT looking to trade Mac Jones this offseason. Things and offers can change, but the 49ers’ preference is to keep their Brock Purdy–Mac Jones tandem intact for 2026, per Dianna Russini,” wrote Coach Yac on X (@coach_yac).

As for the substitution theory that has caused some discomfort among teammates and has been linked to alleged injuries, Jones said he doesn’t know anything about it yet. Despite Joe Rogan mentioning the theory on several occasions, the quarterback said he doesn’t feel any different.

“It’s funny how it works. I didn’t play great football the first few years of my career, and then I came here to San Francisco, and I learned a ton,” Darnold said while recalling that phase of his career with Shanahan‘s 49ers in 2023, when he appeared in 10 games and threw two touchdowns and one interception.

Despite his limited action at quarterback in San Francisco, Darnold said his understanding of the game grew significantly while learning the system. “Because of that year in San Francisco, I was able to learn a ton. Learned from Brock Purdy and coach Shanahan.”

Purdy unlocked some of Darnold’s potential

Darnold went on to explain how that short time alongside Purdy helped him “unlock” his potential, or at least part of it, allowing him to become the high-level quarterback he is today. “I really thank Brock… Brock Purdy a ton,” Darnold said.

Darnold’s season was strong once again, surpassing 4,000 passing yards for a second straight year (4,048 in 2025 and 4,319 in 2024 with the Vikings). He also threw 25 touchdowns, 10 fewer than the previous season, but it was enough to lead the Seahawks to Super Bowl LX and win it.

After his time in San Francisco ended, Darnold used what he learned to succeed with two different teams. “And I was able to kind of learn and go to Minnesota and play good football there. I was able to come to Seattle and do the same. So, it’s funny how things work, but that’s life. I’m gonna continue to keep working.”