Signing a Free Agent Veteran Quarterback is Critical for the 49ers

It's never a dull offseason when it comes to quarterbacks with the 49ers.

Brock Purdy is expected to reconvene with his doctor in early March to see if he is able to have surgery on his ruptured UCL. So, Purdy is looking at a two-to-three-week delay from when he was initially set to have surgery on Feb. 22. Because of that, the pathway to being the Week 1 starter becomes clearer for Trey Lance.

Still, the 49ers would be unwise to just roll with Lance and Purdy into the regular season. Both are coming off injuries and will have huge question marks, especially Lance, on maintaining health. Then there is the wonder of if these two will be able to play at a high-level and not feel the repercussions of their injuries. This is why signing a veteran quarterback is critical for the 49ers.

It was always in the 49ers plans to do so when free agency came around, but the delay in Purdy's surgery increases how pivotal of a move it is. It can't be a measly player either like a Josh Johnson. The 49ers have to seek out former starters who have demonstrated to play efficiently for a stretch of their careers. Players like Jacoby Brissett, Taylor Heineke, or even Baker Mayfield if he can come fairly cheap.

These aren't players who are meant to steal the starting reins from either Lance or Purdy, but they can at least push them. And if the 49ers do end up in a situation where they are both on the shelf due to injury again, then they can at least keep themselves competitive with these quarterbacks. You just have to wonder if the 49ers would consider bringing Jimmy Garoppolo back. Purdy's surgery delay does raise the necessity of signing a veteran free agent quarterback. It's curious to think about if they would.

Whichever quarterback ends up being considered by the 49ers, it has to be someone who doesn't carry injury concern and can be a fit in the offense.