San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Backup plan could mean another Purdy
The franchise that in recent years has fretted over Brock Purdy’s elbow, flirted with Tom Brady, traded up for (and then traded) Trey Lance and said bye-bye to Jimmy Garoppolo — before welcoming him back — is having an odd offseason.
Where’s your quarterback drama, San Francisco 49ers?
This spring, for the first time in a long time, the 49ers aren’t dealing with intrigue when it comes to the NFL’s most important position. Purdy, 24, who was about a month removed from elbow surgery this time a year ago, casting his season-opening readiness in doubt, is coming off a year that suggests QB melodrama won’t reappear in the foreseeable future.
He became the franchise’s first Pro Bowl QB since 2002, set the 49ers’ single-season record for passing yards, posted the 13thhighest passer rating in league history and led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in his first season as a starter. His historic campaign raised a different kind of QB question — is he the 49ers’ best since Steve Young? — and lowered general manager John Lynch’s blood pressure this offseason.
Lynch has noted that it was enjoyable to talk with Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy at the school’s pro day last month without trying to discern whether the first-round prospect was a future star. The topic of their conversation: McCarthy and Lynch’s mom attended the same high school.
“It is very nice,” Lynch said, “to be able to focus on the other parts of your roster.” The quarterback rundown
Offseason additions: Josh Dobbs (Vikings)
Offseason departures: Sam Darnold (Vikings)
On the roster: Purdy, Dobbs, Brandon Allen
On the bright side: Purdy resembles a franchise QB, and there’s reason to believe he’ll continue to improve given the change this year from his first two offseasons. He received few practice snaps as a deep-on-thedepth-chart rookie, then his work was curtailed last year as he worked his way back from surgery.
“I’m just pumped to be able to go through the film with him and to be on the field with him, which he hasn’t had a chance to do yet in his career,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Purdy didn’t miss a game due to injury last year, but the 49ers have two experienced backups behind him if he’s sidelined in 2024. Dobbs, 29, and Allen, 31, have combined to throw 765 career passes and make 23 starts.
Last year, Dobbs provided the Vikings with a spark when Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles. Dobbs accounted for seven touchdowns, had 778 total yards and posted a 94.4 passer rating in the first 10 quarters he played after Cousins was injured.
On the flip side: Of the 78 quarterbacks who have thrown at least 250 passes since 2018, Allen’s passer rating (78.0) ranks 69th and Dobbs’ (77.3) is 70th.
Yes, they are career-long backup QBs for a reason, but the numbers don’t inspire confidence that they could keep the 49ers afloat if they are needed in 2024. After Dobbs’ hot start in 2023, he threw one touchdown pass and four interceptions in seven-plus quarters, posting a 45.1 rating, and was benched in the fourth quarter of a 3-0 loss to the Raiders.
Dobbs signed a one-year deal that includes $1.75 million guaranteed. Allen re-signed on a oneyear deal with $200,000 guaranteed. That’s not enough to prevent the 49ers from cutting ties with either if they add a rookie QB who impresses this summer. In 2022 they waived Nate Sudfeld, who had $2 million in guarantees, after Purdy opened eyes in training camp.
Potential draft plan: Armed with 10 picks, what’s the harm in tossing a late-round dart and praying for another Purdy? A deep-in-the-draft possibility is Northern Illinois’ Rocky Lombardi. If nothing else, his first name suggests he could have a triumphant underdog story.