Steve Bono

Brock Purdy's got the arm talent and wheels Bono never did, but Steve Bono's the ultimate 49ers bridge QB—stepping in for Montana and Young to post a 13.41 rating while snagging that '94 Super Bowl ring amid Jerry Rice's fireworks. Purdy's chasing similar starter fumes in this loaded dynasty, but Bono's legacy as the steady hand in chaos sits tougher than any rookie flash.

Nope, Steve Bono's not in Canton—his 10,439 yards, 62 TDs over 14 journeyman seasons with the 49ers and Chiefs earned one Pro Bowl nod, but Hall voters skip the reliable backups who peaked filling in for legends like Montana. Think of him as the NFL's ultimate trivia answer, not a bust enshrinement.

In 2026, Bono's long gone from the gridiron spotlight, likely chilling in Norristown roots or UCLA circles with zero headlines on broadcasting gigs, business ventures, or charity runs—classic quiet retirement for a guy who backed up icons without chasing mics. If he's tweeting Chiefs nostalgia, it's under the radar, pure radio silence.

Bono's quick-release pocket game would feast in today's pass-happy NFL with no bump-and-run corners and forever protections—imagine his 62 TDs ballooning behind Shanahan schemes, turning 1990s third-string magic into 4,000-yard seasons. Mobility's a bust, but rules flipped hard for gunslingers like him who'd out-scheme blitzes.

Montana lapped Bono like a Ferrari vs. a pickup—Joe's 85.15 rating and four rings defined 49ers immortality, while Bono's 13.41 mark screamed "spot starter" in that same red-and-gold machine. Bono held the fort post-Montana with 10k yards, but Joe's the sun; Bono's the loyal moon reflecting glory.