The 49ers quarterback situation gained some clarity Monday morning.
San Francisco went into the offseason with the status of Brock Purdy in question after the quarterback suffered a torn UCL in his throwing elbow early in the NFC championship game.
Purdy underwent surgery to have an internal brace placed in the elbow on March 10. The surgery was deemed a success and the only update provided by the team stated Purdy would begin a throwing progression program in three months.
Speaking from the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, 49ers general manager John Lynch provided an updated timeline.
According to Lynch, Purdy will begin his throwing program 12 weeks post-surgery (June 2) and the quarterback could return sooner than the initial six-month timeline suggested.
“Our hope is he is ready to go in training camp,” stated Lynch.
San Francisco’s hope appears to be for Purdy to follow a similar timeline to another former 49ers quarterback.
Nick Mullens suffered a UCL injury against Dallas late in the 2020 season. Following a successful surgery to repair the UCL with an internal brace, Mullens was fully cleared to return after five months.
If Purdy is able to match the same timeline, his return could come as early as July 28. The quarterback is currently rehabbing in Arizona with Dr. Keith Kocher. Kocher is a physical therapist with more than 40 years of experience working with athletes recovering from elbow injuries.
In addition to Purdy’s health status, Lynch gave an indication of how the quarterback depth chart will look for San Francisco. The general manager echoed comments he made earlier this month during the scouting combine.
“I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he’s probably the leader in the clubhouse,” said Lynch. “I’ll let Kyle (Shanahan) make those kinds of decisions, but I know when we talked, Brock probably has earned that right to be the guy. If we were to line up, he probably would take that first snap.”
Lynch also noted that while Purdy may have a leg up, there will be a quarterback competition during training camp.
“We’re still very excited about Trey, but I think the way Brock played, he has earned that right to be the guy, but it’s certainly a competition — we’ll always have that.”
On the opening day of free agency, the 49ers agreed to terms with Sam Darnold. Darnold will also be a part of the quarterback battle.
“He’s competing as well,” said Lynch. “The one nice thing for Sam and Trey is that there are going to be a lot of snaps out there in the offseason program, and so those two will get the opportunity to go out there and show what they can do.”
The signing of Darnold, the third player chosen during the 2018 NFL draft, created questions around the status of Lance with the team.
Monday morning, Lynch was asked if trading Lance was a possibility.
“We like Trey on our team right now,” state Lynch. “Kyle and I always joke that we’d trade each other if someone gave us a good enough deal, so we listen to anything, but we like Trey on our team and we’re very excited about the way he’s progressing, about his opportunity. I think he’s champing at the bit to get out there and get back under center and be healthy again.”
Offseason moves
Below is the updated 49ers free agency tracker and depth chart. These will continue to be updated as moves are made, and contracts become official so check in daily.
Additions
DT Javon Hargrave (Eagles: Four years, $84 million, $40 million guaranteed at signing)
QB Sam Darnold (Panthers: One-year, $4.5 million. Potential for up to $11.5 million with incentives)
DL Clelin Ferrell (Raiders: One-year, $2.5 million, $1.82 million guaranteed at signing)
DB Isaiah Oliver (Falcons: Two years, $6.65 million, $2.91 guaranteed at signing)
DB Myles Hartsfield (Panthers: One year, $1.01 million)
OL Jon Feliciano (Giants: One year, $2.25 million, contract is fully guaranteed)
DE Austin Bryant (Lions: One year, terms not disclosed)
K Zane Gonzalez (Panthers: Trade, conditional 2025 draft pick)
Re-Signed
TE Ross Dwelley (One-year, $1.7 million)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (One-year, $1.835 million, $1.25 million fully guaranteed)
DL T.Y. McGill (One-year, $1.165 million)
C Jake Brendel (Four years, $8 million guaranteed, max value of $20 million)
S Tashaun Gipson (One-year, $2.9 million)
OL Colton McKivitz (Two years, $4.56 million, $2.87 million guaranteed, $1.87 million guaranteed at signing)
DL Kevin Givens (One-year, $2 million, fully guaranteed)
LS Taybor Pepper (Three years, $3.96 million, $1.5 million fully guaranteed)
Losses
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Raiders: Three years, $72.75 million, $33.75 guaranteed at signing)
OT Mike McGlinchey (Broncos: Five-years, $87.5 million, $17.5 million signing bonus, $52.5 million guaranteed)
DT Hassan Ridgeway (Texans: One-year, up to $4 million, $3 million guaranteed at signing)
FS Jimmie Ward (Texans: Two years, $13 million, $8.5 million fully guaranteed at signing)
CB Emmanuel Moseley (Lions: One-year, $6 million)
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (Titans: One year, worth up to $6 million, $4.25 million guaranteed)
DE Samson Ebukam (Colts: Three years, $24 million with $10.755 guaranteed)
OL Daniel Brunskill (Titans: Two years, $5.5 million with $1.5 million guaranteed)
DE Charles Omenihu (Chiefs: Two years, $20 million, $8.6 million guaranteed)
S Tarvarius Moore (Packers: one year, $1.13 million)
DT Maurice Hurst (Browns: one year, $1.08 million)
DE Jordan Willis (Raiders: one year, $1,156,250)
Pending Free Agents
K Robbie Gould
DE Kerry Hyder
TE Tyler Kroft
QB Josh Johnson
CB Jason Verrett
Depth Chart
Here is how I see the 49ers depth chart at this time. I will update this throughout the offseason and training camp. Players with new contracts will be in bold.
| Offense | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 |
| Quarterback | Brock Purdy | Trey Lance | Sam Darnold | |
| Running Back | Christian McCaffrey | Elijah Mitchell | Jordan Mason | Ty Davis-Price |
| Fullback | Kyle Juszczyk | |||
| LWR | Brandon Aiyuk | Danny Gray | ||
| RWR | Deebo Samuel | Jauan Jennings | Ray-Ray McCloud | |
| TE | George Kittle | Charlie Woerner | Ross Dwelley | |
| Left Tackle | Trent Williams | |||
| Left Guard | Aaron Banks | |||
| Center | Jake Brendel | Nick Zakelj | ||
| Right Guard | Spencer Burford | Jon Feliciano | ||
| Right Tackle | Colton McKivitz | Jaylon Moore |
| Defense | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 |
| LDE | Drake Jackson | Clelin Ferrell | |
| LDT | Javon Hargrave | Javon Kinlaw | T.Y. McGill |
| RDT | Arik Armstead | Kevin Givens | Kalia Davis |
| RDE | Nick Bosa | Austin Bryant | |
| WLB | Dre Greenlaw | Oren Burks | |
| MLB | Fred Warner | Marcelino McCray-Ball | |
| SLB | Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles | ||
| LCB | Deommodore Lenoir | Ambry Thomas | |
| SS | Talanoa Hufanga | Myles Hartsfield | |
| FS | Tashaun Gipson | George Odum | |
| RCB | Charvarius Ward | ||
| NB | Isaiah Oliver | Samuel Womack | |
| Special Teams | Player 1 | |||||
| Kicker | Zane Gonzalez | |||||
| Punter | Mitch Wishnowsky | |||||
| Long Snapper |
Taybor Pepper
|
|||||
| Reserves | ||||||
| Alfredo Gutierrez (OL) | Curtis Robinson (LB) | Alex Barrett (DE) | Jason Poe (OL) | A.J. Parker (CB) | ||
| Qwuantrezz Knight (DB) | Tayler Hawkins (S) | Keith Ismael (OC) | Leroy Watson (OL) | Tay Martin (WR) | ||
| Dazz Newsome (WR) | Tyron Johnson (WR) | Tre Swilling (CB) | ||||
Now we know for sure how the Niners view the quarterback situation although I think we’ve always known that Purdy will be the starter. Lynch sounds like they maybe open to a trade for Lance. I suspect it won’t happen this year. They’ll want to see how he performs this off season or longer to better determine his trade value. It probably also depends on Darnold and how well he does..They sure won’t trade Lance if Darnold isn’t doing well.
If JL and KS are on the same page it looks like Purdy will be the starter by game 3 or 4 at the latest. It will be very interesting to see what the D coordinators around the league (with a full off season to prepare) will have in store for Purdy. He seldom throws outside the numbers I see Ds crowding the middle of the field and forcing him to throw outside the hash marks. Also unless they can come up with a real answer to the RT position having a more mobile QB may be more important than last year. I hope Lance shows real improvement giving KS a solid choice between the two QBs.
Of course they are on the same page. When have they not been? Since they are hopeful that Purdy is ready for trying camp, makes your prediction of 3 to 4 weeks a real outlier. Something would have to go drastically wrong for that to happen. I hope Lance does well also, both for his sake and the teams.
Felix,
Like I said “at the latest” meaning I believe it will be sooner. I have heard the 49ers FO make predictions on players returns many times and they have been wrong a number of those times. As to JL and KS being on the same page in the past we have no idea. They are consummate professionals and would never air their differences publicly. imho
49ers sign Matt Pryor OT from the Colts. Sounds like he will compete with McGlinchey or fill the swing tackle role.
What a joke. Lance has more talent in his pinky finger. But Pretty Purdy gets the nod because of how he looks in his tights. This loser franchise will never win anything with the bozo Yorks and choke artist Shanahan running things.
Someone once said, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. RING A BELL?
Typical Smither response. Pathetic. Keep your head in the sand. Just make sure you add a Purdy jersey to your collection. I’m sure it will look nice next to your Alex Smith and Jimmy G jerseys in your closet. Keep spending those paychecks! Trust Fund Jed needs another yacht! The rich get richer while 49er fans remain stupid and hopeless and worship bad QB’s and a choke artist HC!
Can you give any evidence that Lance is better than Purdy? Any evidence at all? Not words, evidence.
Felix,
Not that I agree with Bay but words can convey evidence. I think what you were asking for was fact not opinion. imho
No…but he knows for a fact that Ole #7, Colin Sackorpick, will lead the 9ers to the promised land if given the chance….the guy is delusional, and having a one sided ‘bromance’ with his favorite former 9er…
What matters most under Shanahan isn’t the starting quarterback.
It’s the third and fourth guys on the depth chart that we should be concerned about.
Jack, thanks for keeping the new, old and current player list updated!
Can you put a number for the years left on their contract for the players on the depth chart behind their name like (9) ? That would really give us an idea where we are at with this team for now and the future.
Hopefully you will continue the flow of information contained in this