Many players make it to the NFL briefly before returning to play spring football. Former Birmingham Stallions QB Adrian Martinez isn’t one of those guys.
Two years into his NFL career, Martinez continues to make the most of his opportunity.
Adrian Martinez’s NFL Journey
After spending a year on the Jets’ practice squad, Martinez had high hopes of making the team this season. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. He was cut after the preseason.
Martinez didn’t take long to find a home. He landed on the 49ers’ practice squad almost immediately.
On the surface, it looked like a straightforward opportunity: sit back and learn behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones. Well, things haven’t turned out quite that way so far this season.
Practice Squad No More
With Brock Purdy struggling to stay healthy, the 49ers were forced to promote Adrian Martinez to the active roster several times. The most recent call-up was a permanent one. Martinez is now a member of the 53-man roster.
With that roster spot comes a significant pay raise.
It also comes with the possibility of Martinez getting on the field for his first regular-season action. That hasn’t happened yet, but it’s a possibility the 49ers seem prepared for.
Adrian Martinez Taking First Team Reps
At one point last week, both Purdy and Jones were hurt, making Martinez the only healthy QB on the roster.
Of course, the 49ers did their due diligence looking into free agent QBs. They even brought a few in for tryouts earlier in the season. One thing they didn’t do was sign another QB.
That shows that the team has a good amount of faith in Martinez’s ability to get the job done if called upon.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan, who knows a thing or two about QBs, had this to say about Martinez’s development.
To a degree this week has been nice to him. He has got a lot more reps with the (starters) this week just filling in for Mac so we’ve been able to see him on tape more. Kind of a better feelign this week than I have in the past weeks – Kyle Shanahan
Of course, this isn’t the biggest news in the NFL, but it’s a big step for a former UFL player. It’s a sign that he’s being given a real chance to prove he can make it at the highest level.
What Adrian Martinez Says About The UFL
None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the time Adrian Martinez spent with the Birmingham Stallions. That’s a fact that isn’t lost on him.
I love the UFL. I think it’s a league that’s necessary and that gave me an opportunity to bounce back. When people ask me about it I call it professional JuCo (junior college) but it really is. There’s first-round picks, third-round picks, undreafted guys like myself. The UFL gave me an opportunity to play 12 games and show what I can do and show that I’m an NFL guy. – Adrian Martinez
