Once again, the San Francisco 49ers have a quarterback controversy, and this time, it’s more of a triangle than a two-way competition.
Brock Purdy was the starter ever since Week 13 of last season, but he suffered a torn UCL in his throwing elbow early in the NFC Championship Game, and after having surgery on it, he will likely be out until sometime in September.
That has left a window open for Trey Lance, as well as newcomer Sam Darnold, to snag the starting spot.
But Lance paid his respects to Purdy and said he doesn’t “want to take anything away from” Purdy, according to John Dickinson.
“My opportunity is just to come in & compete & that’s all I wanted. I don’t want to take anything away from Brock & no one should be able to take anything away from Brock. He did what he did last yr. & deserves all the credit in the world.”
Trey Lance on QB situation/Brock Purdy pic.twitter.com/S1aWavjq8V
— John Dickinson (@JDJohnDickinson) May 23, 2023
Lance has played in just eight games in two seasons, largely because of a severe ankle injury that prematurely ended his 2022 season in Week 2.
While Purdy looks like a more proven and ready QB right now, Lance is thought to have a higher ceiling because he is bigger and stronger and is more of a dual-threat signal-caller.
Lance was the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and the 49ers gave up four draft picks, including two first-rounders, to the Miami Dolphins for the pick they used to take him.
Whoever will be starting under center for San Francisco will have plenty of playmakers at his disposal.
Dual-threat running back Christian McCaffrey radically transformed their offense after arriving in a midseason trade, and George Kittle is generally considered the best tight end in the league not named Travis Kelce.
The Niners also have a pair of stud wide receivers in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, plus a solid second-string running back in Elijah Mitchell.
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Trey Lance Comments On A Past Injury Concern
