The San Francisco 49ers are all too aware of the importance of the backup quarterback position, dating back to Brock Purdy’s injury in the 2022 NFC Championship game. The 49ers were so bludgeoned during that debacle that it prompted the NFL to create a new rule allowing for an emergency third quarterback to suit up on game days. The 49ers have had third-overall pick Trey Lance, third-overall selection Sam Darnold, and Jimmy Garoppolo as backup options over the course of the past four seasons. This upcoming season presents a different dilemma for Head Coach Kyle Shanahan having chosen to go down the path of a backup quarterback competition, contrary to the decorated backups format that the fan base has grown accustomed to.
San Francisco 49ers 2024 Backup Quarterback Option #1 Brandon Allen
The 49ers agreed to terms on the re-signing of Brandon Allen to compete for the backup quarterback position to Brock Purdy heading into the 2024 campaign. No slight to Brandon Allen, but this is a far cry from the decorated backup quarterbacks that they have had over the past four seasons. Allen had an accomplished college career at the University of Arkansas where he started for three years, and ended his college career having passed for the third most yards in program history. Brandon Allen was drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Allen has since played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, and the Denver Broncos before joining the 49ers in 2023.
The San Francisco 49ers cannot have the confidence in the backup position that they have had in years past, with Allen having only started nine games in his entire career. The 49ers offense may look entirely different than what we have grown accustomed to if Purdy is to go down. Do not be surprised to see the 49ers take a flier on a mid to late-round pick in hopes of finding another gem as they did in Purdy.
San Francisco 49ers Backup Quarterback Option #2 Joshua Dobbs
Joshua Dobbs is a career traveler, having previously been employed by seven different franchises before joining the 49ers. Dobbs has started 14 games during the course of his career amassing a 3-14 record. Dobbs has an athletic profile, fitting the mold of the mobile quarterbacks that we have seen across the league. This is a little different style of quarterback than 49ers fans are used to seeing line up under center.
Maybe this is the type of offense that Dobbs needs to truly showcase his talents, but I do not believe there are many 49ers fans out there who are clamoring to see him get reps any time soon. It is hard to say which backup option the fan base would be more comfortable seeing to win the job. In a perfect world, neither Allen nor Dobbs will get any significant reps over the course of the 2024 season absent of garbage time. But as San Francisco 49ers fans know this is an important position, and definitely something worth monitoring over the course of training camp.
Sam Darnold Spurns 49ers For Chance At Starting Job
For those who witnessed a 49ers training camp practice during the 2023 season, many left with the impression that if Brock Purdy were to go down with an injury over the course of the season the offense would still be in capable hands under Sam Darnold. Darnold comes with the pedigree, having been drafted with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Though his tenure in New York was short-lived, it was still evident in watching the San Francisco 49ers practices why he was taken with such a high pick.
Sam Darnold impressed in his lone start as San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback in a week 18 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. It impressed the Minnesota Vikings enough to let Kirk Cousins walk in free agency and anoint Sam Darnold as the 2024 starter.
San Francisco 49ers 2022 Season Of Backups
The entire league is familiar with Brock Purdy’s injury in the 2022 NFC Championship game where the 49ers were already thin at the quarterback position. Brock Purdy was not even supposed to be the starting quarterback that season until Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo both went down with injuries. Not many teams would have had that kind of success if their starting quarterback went down with an injury, not to mention your top two options going down. There was a silver lining through all of that turmoil in that it looks like the San Francisco 49ers found their franchise quarterback in Brock Purdy through that storm.