The San Francisco 49ers knew that they would start the season with Brock Purdy as QB1, as they gave Trey Lance and Sam Darnold the chance to earn the back-up quarterback spot in pre-season
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.