Analyzing Day 1 of the 2023 49ers QB Competition

SANTA CLARA -- Here's what Trey Lance, Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen did on Day 1 of 49ers training camp. Keep in mind, Brock Purdy did not practice today.

TREY LANCE

Completed 5 of 6 pass attempts during 11 on 11s, plus he scrambled for a first down on 3rd and 7. His best throw was his first throw -- a 30-yard play-action pass to Ty Davis-Price running wide open up the left sideline. Lance's only incompletion was a nicely placed touch throw downfield to Deebo Samuel that got broken up at the last second by a leaping Fred Warner, who makes plays like that all the time. Lance seemed to focus on throwing passes to his left, which was an issue for him last year. Not this year. He's opening his hips early on throws to his left, which is key. Plus his release is much quicker than the past two years (thank you, Jeff Christensen), and he's throwing short passes much softer, according to Deebo Samuel. Good first day for Lance, who clearly was the best quarterback on the field.

SAM DARNOLD

Completed 2 of 4 passes during 11 on 11s and took a sack after holding the ball for at least four seconds in the pocket. It's incredible how indecisive Darnold is despite all of his starting experience. His best throw was a 15-yard completion over the middle to Brandon Aiyuk on 3rd and 7. His worst throw was a deep pass to Danny Gray, who had beaten cornerback Ambry Thomas (what else is new). But Darnold's pass hung in the air and gave Talanoa Hufanga time to run over and break it up. I still have no idea what the 49ers see in Darnold. He's the same guy he always has been.

BRANDON ALLEN

Completed zero of his three pass attempts during 11 on 11s. His best throw was a deep one to Danny Gray which led Gray caught out of bounds. His worst throw was a deep one to Tay Martin up the left sideline which almost landed out of bounds. Yesterday, Kyle Shanahan said he needs to get Allen more reps. No, Kyle. He's terrible. Your job is to get more reps for Lance, the guy you drafted in Round 1 this year, last year and the year before that. Figure it out.