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49ers add yet another quarterback to the depth chart in 2023

By Russell S. Baxter

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines in the first half during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines in the first half during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The defending NFC West champions have plenty of quarterbacks on the roster. How will it all play out early on in 2023 for the talented San Francisco 49ers?

It has been a pretty interesting six-year run for San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. There wasn’t a lot of success early on. In fact, this past season marked the first time that the team made the playoffs in consecutive years under his command. The Niners have reached the NFC Championship Game in each of the past two years, losing to the Rams and Eagles, respectively.

The 2022 campaign showed not only how talented this team is when it comes to all aspects of the roster. The season began with second-year quarterback Trey Lance making just his third NFL start. He was injured in Week 2, so enter veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. He made 10 straight starts but went down early in a Week 13 win over the Dolphins. Garoppolo signed with the Raiders this offseason.

Enter rookie Brock Purdy, the final selection in the 2022 NFL Draft who suddenly became extremely relevant. He brought some unexpected poise to the club. He inherited a club that had won its last five games, and the Niners closed out the regular season with five straight victories. There were playoff wins over the Seahawks and Cowboys but early in the NFC title game at Philadelphia, he went down with a severe elbow injury. Journeyman Josh Johnson replaced him. Purdy would return to the game but was ineffective as a passer.

That was roughly four months ago. So, who will be the Week 1 signal-caller for Shanahan’s defending NFC West champions? The latest update on Lance (via David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone) came just over a week ago from Lynch. “He’s been out there throwing, doing everything.” He is expected to compete with Sam Darnold for the starting job. The third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft finds himself on his third team after stints with the Jets and Panthers.

As for Purdy, Lynch had this to say less than a week ago (on the Murph & Mac Show courtesy of Bonilla). “He’s not out there throwing yet…But he’s doing really good, doing everything that he can do. As you know, that’s just Brock’s personality, and it’s great to see him out here every day.”

Here’s a wrinkle. Lynch wanted a fourth quarterback and the club recently signed Brandon Allen, late of the Bengals. That means all four signal-callers on San Francisco’s roster have starting experience. Does that mean Lance, Darnold, Purdy, and Allen will all take a turn behind center in 2023?

Regardless of who’s taking the snaps, this is a team that has proven they can win in numerous ways. As for that elusive sixth Super Bowl title, obviously, we shall see.