As NFL training camps approach, the San Francisco 49ers are taking a close look at promising quarterback talent from outside the league. On Friday, UFL MVP Jack Plummer is scheduled to work out for the team, according to league sources.
The session comes at a time when questions persist about the future of current backup quarterback Mac Jones, even as the organization has repeatedly expressed a desire to keep its depth chart intact.
Plummer, a 26-year-old quarterback who played college football at Purdue, California, and Louisville, went undrafted in 2024 and had a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers before finding success in the UFL. In 2026, he starred for the Orlando Storm, throwing for a league-leading 2,188 yards with 17 touchdowns and just one interception.
He completed 65 percent of his passes, led the Storm to an 8-2 record, and earned MVP honors for his ball security and leadership. At 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, Plummer brings impressive size and a strong football IQ to the field, along with mobility that showed in a standout 71-yard touchdown run this season.
The workout holds added intrigue because of Plummer’s personal connections to the Bay Area. He attended Gilbert High School in Arizona, the same town where 49ers starter Brock Purdy went to high school (though at a different school). The two quarterbacks are the same age and share regional ties that could help Plummer integrate quickly if given an opportunity.
For the 49ers, bringing in Plummer serves multiple purposes. It provides a low-risk evaluation of a player coming off a dominant spring season, potentially offering depth or competition in the quarterback room. Plummer could also assist in working out other potential signees.
With Purdy entrenched as the starter, the team is likely viewing this as a chance to add insurance or developmental talent ahead of the season. Plummer also has a workout lined up with the Miami Dolphins next week, indicating growing NFL interest in his services.
Meanwhile, the backdrop includes persistent rumors surrounding Mac Jones. Jones signed a two-year deal with San Francisco in 2025 and delivered strong production when called upon. In eight starts filling in for an injured Purdy, he went 5-3, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for over 2,100 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
His performance sparked speculation that the 49ers might entertain trade offers for their capable backup, especially given the league-wide demand for starting-caliber quarterbacks at a reasonable cap number.
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have been consistent in their messaging: they value Jones highly and have no immediate plans to move him. Lynch has described the asking price for any potential deal as “astronomical,” and Shanahan has said he would be “very surprised” if Jones were not on the roster in 2026. Jones himself has expressed contentment in San Francisco, praising the organization and his desire to stay.
The timing of Plummer’s workout does not necessarily signal an imminent trade of Jones. NFL teams routinely bring in free agents and developmental players for workouts to stay prepared for injuries or other roster needs. Still, it adds fuel to the conversation about quarterback depth in San Francisco. If Jones were to be dealt later, a player like Plummer could step into a larger role behind Purdy.
As training camp nears, all eyes will be on how the 49ers manage their quarterback situation. Purdy remains the clear starter after leading the team through recent competitive seasons, but the combination of Jones’ proven reliability and fresh interest in emerging options like Plummer gives San Francisco flexibility.
Whether Plummer impresses enough to earn a spot or simply serves as a valuable workout participant remains to be seen, but his arrival underscores the team’s proactive approach to maintaining a strong position at the game’s most important spot.
