With the 2025 season concluded, the San Francisco 49ers' front office has immediately turned its attention to constructing the 2026 roster. In a significant roster-building move during the week of January 18-24, the team announced the signing of 14 players to Reserve/Future contracts.
These contracts are standard one-year, minimum salary deals offered to players who were not on an active NFL roster at the season's end. They allow the 49ers to retain the rights to these players through the offseason, making them full participants in the team's spring workouts, OTAs, and training camp. The list is a mix of young prospects and veteran depth, headlined by several notable names.
The signings include defensive lineman Sebastian Valdez, a player the organization is reportedly "high on" for his potential, and quarterback Adrien Martinez, who impressed in limited 2025 action. The team believes 2025 draft pick Kurtis Rourke can be the No. 3 quarterback, but Martinez will be given a chance to compete for that role. Other signings provide crucial depth: veteran cornerback Eli Apple, safety Darrick Forrest (also signed to the practice squad on Jan. 14), linebacker Jalen Graham, and offensive linemen Isaac Alarcon and Zachary Thomas.
This annual procedural move is the first layer of roster construction. It allows the coaching staff to evaluate a broad group of players at minimal cost, identifying potential gems who can contribute on special teams or push for backup roles. For players like Valdez and Martinez, it's a critical opportunity to make an impression and potentially earn a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2026 campaign.