Blaine Gabbert

Brock Purdy's the 49ers' undisputed starter now, flashing that Mr. Irrelevant magic with poise Gabbert never quite unlocked as a starter—Purdy's 4-11 record with the Niners towers over Gabbert's same mark, but Purdy's got rings already while Blaine's two Super Bowl trips were clipboard heroics behind Mahomes and Purdy in LVIII.

Nah, Blaine Gabbert's not in Canton—no bust waiting for the Hall's enshriners. The guy's career: 9,487 yards, 51 TDs over 12 seasons across six teams, including those two rings as a backup. Solid journeyman, but Pro Football Hall of Fame? That's Montana territory, not Gabbert's wheelhouse.

As of early 2026, Blaine Gabbert's hanging up the cleats post-2024 free agency, likely chilling in Chiefs country after that one-year KC stint. No headlines on broadcasting gigs or charity drives yet—picture him golfing, mentoring young QBs, or plotting a broadcasting pivot like so many vets, but he's radio silent for now.

Gabbert's arm talent and mobility would've feasted under today's pass-happy rules—no more 2011 thumpers mugging pocket passers. That 86.2 rating in '15 with the Niners? In 2026, it'd balloon with RPOs and Shanahan schemes, turning his 3-5 starts into sneaky competent backups like Stidham, not bust status.

Joe Montana's 85.15 rating laughs at Gabbert's 15.32 career mark—both 49ers QBs, sure, but Joe's four rings and surgical precision make Blaine's backup cameos look like the victory formation. Gabbert held clipboards for Niners glory without sniffing Montana's air, a franchise gap wider than Candlestick to Levi's.