Analyzing Day 11 of the 2023 49ers QB Competition
SANTA CLARA -- Here's what Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen did on Day 11 of 49ers training camp.
BROCK PURDY
Completed 9 of 16 pass attempts (56 percent) and threw one pass that should have gotten intercepted but was dropped by Charvarius Ward. Also had one pass that was dropped by tight end Cameron Latu. Purdy's best throw was his only completion that traveled more than 10 yards in the air, and it was a 15-yard throw from the near hash to Brandon Aiyuk running a deep out. Purdy's worst throw was the check down pass he threw behind Christian McCaffrey that got broken up by Deommodore Lenoir. Or the quick slant he threw behind Deebo Samuel that was incomplete. Purdy played it safe today -- didn't attempt any low-percentage deep throws -- and still struggled with accuracy and efficiency. And through eight practices (he took three days off), he has thrown eight interceptable passes. And he still can't take every rep in practice yet -- he frequently pantomimes throwing a football during warmups rather than actually throwing a ball. If I didn't know any better, I'd think Purdy is a young, physically-limited quarterback coming off a serious injury who needs lots of time and patience. But Kyle Shanahan says Purdy is the real deal, so he must be great and ready to start Week 1.
SAM DARNOLD
Completed 5 of 8 pass attempts with one drop and threw one interception to rookie safety Ji'Ayir Brown. This was Darnold's first throw of practice. His first read wasn't open, so he scrambled to his left, extended the play and heaved the ball downfield to Ray Ray McCloud, who was double covered. Darnold is not a serious quarterback.
TREY LANCE
Completed 4 of 7 pass attempts with three drops. His best throw was a 20-yard pass across the middle to Cameron Latu which Latu dropped. Lance's worst throw was a tipped screen pass on a play that didn't count. It was 3rd and 8, and Lance drew defensive end Austin Bryant offside. Which means the offense had a free play. The center snapped the ball, Lance tossed a screen pass to Jordan Mason but the pass got batted down by a defensive lineman. Kyle Shanahan immediately slammed his play sheet against his thighs and yelled something into the walkie talkie he uses to communicate with the quarterback on the field -- in this case, Lance. On the next play, 3rd and 3, he threw a perfect pass over the middle which Chris Conley dropped. Then on the next play, 4th and 3, Lance threw another perfect pass, this time to Ray Ray McCloud running a speed out, and picked up the first down. I didn't see Shanahan celebrate or praise Lance for this conversion. Nothing he does is good enough for Shanahan. As opposed to Sam Darnold, who's the next Steve Young, and Brock Purdy, who's the real deal according to the head coach.
BRANDON ALLEN
It doesn't matter what he did.