San Francisco 49ers decide Brock Purdy's backup after quarterback battle

23 August 2023 , 20:05

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Trey Lance and Sam Darnold have been battling for the back-up quarterback spot

The San Francisco 49ers have named Sam Darnold as their back-up quarterback in an embarrassing new low for Trey Lance.

Darnold was brought in this off-season to compete for a back-up spot after Brock Purdy suffered a season-ending injury last year that put his start to the 2023 season in doubt.

But after returning earlier this summer back at full health, the team knew they'd be rolling with Purdy ahead of Lance - who had yet to nail down the back-up spot over Darnold. And with the former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers quarterback performing better than Lance, Darnold has now won the back-up spot.

The Niners essentially traded years of their future away to move up to select Lance, giving up three first-rounders to select him with the third-overall pick in 2021. But he has struggled to win the starting spot throughout his time with the team.

Lance was seen as the quarterback to take the Niners from Super Bowl challengers to Super Bowl favourites - having the ability to use his legs as an explosive athlete while being a talented thrower.

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But his inconsistencies as a passer have been all too noticeable, with him continuing to struggle in preseason.

And with him now being named as the third-choice quarterback, the Niners are expected to listen to trade offers for the former first-round pick.

After sitting his first season in the league as a back-up behind Jimmy Garoppolo, Lance was given the starting spot at the beginning of 2022.

Lance has lost the spot to Darnold

In his first full game as a starter, the Niners lost to the Chicago Bears, before he suffered a season-ending injury in the second game of the year.

This saw Garoppolo re-enter the frame as quarterback before he also suffered a season-ending injury - handing the reigns over to the rookie Purdy, who has never looked back.

Lance being named as the third choice will no doubt see him being discussed as one of the worst draft selections in NFL history when considering just how much the team gave up to select him. They also passing on players such as Micah Parsons, Patrick Surtain and JaMarr Chase to select him.

Lance has struggled so far in preseason, with Niners fans wanting the team to move on from him after his two poor showings.

It is unclear whether the former third-overall pick will garner much attention, but the Atlanta Falcons are a team that could explore a trade - while not having a clear franchise quarterback on the roster.

Charlie Wilson