How the 49ers Will Manage Their Quarterbacks in the Second Preseason Game

The 49ers will be managing their quarterbacks differently in their second preseason game against the Broncos.

In the first game versus the Raiders, it was Trey Lance who started the game and got to see it through to halftime. Sam Darnold would take over coming out of the half for the entire third quarter. This time around it might be a role reversal for the two quarterbacks. Kyle Shanahan shed some light on how the 49ers will manage the playing time of their quarterbacks in Saturday's second preseason game.

“Not set in stone," Shanahan said. "What I said last week, we wanted Trey [Lance] to get the majority of the first half so Sam [Darnold] could get the next week. So that's what we're planning on, but we'll see how the next two practices go before we decide for sure.”

As for Brock Purdy, Shanahan said that he is still deciding on what to do with him and the rest of the starters for that game. I have said for a couple weeks now that the 49ers should hold him out of the first preseason game, then play him in the second for a couple of series. Holding him out entirely isn't the best path to take for him I believe. Shanahan's logic likely ties into wanting to see more of Lance and Darnold since Purdy is set at the starter.

It's more likely than not that Darnold will get the first half, while Lance gets the third quarter. Although, I am not too sure if that is the right call. If there was anything to takeaway from the game against the Raiders, it is that Lance is still very raw. He needs to play a ton and the only way he is gonna get that is in these preseason games. Practice reps clearly have done little to nothing for him.

However, the 49ers do not care to be that invested in his development. Whoever looks the best between the two will get the nod as the backup to Purdy. Darnold will likely get the first half, but I think Lance will get the entire second half since Brandon Allen has been away from the team due to having a newborn baby.