The Trey Lance/Brock Purdy Dilemma
The Trey Lance/ Brock Purdy dilemma
49ers fans know all too well, the rollercoaster that is trying to find a franchise quarterback. The highs, the lows, the hype, the let down, the highlight reel touchdown throws, and the season ending injuries. There are many NFL teams who have been in decade long quarterback purgatory. But maybe none as cruel as what Niner fans have experienced.
See, it’s not that San Francisco has never had a guy who flashed ability. Or even one who played really well for a time. The Niners have had quarterbacks who looked the part. Quarterbacks who fans could get behind and believe in. But just as soon as hope and belief would turn into confidence and certainty, said quarterback would fall from their franchise QB trajectory.
It was the injury and eventual trading of No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith. Injuries and benching of Colin Kaepernick, before letting him walk. The Jimmy Garoppolo Era. Starting fast, the hype peaked and crescendoed with a massive payday. And then he got hurt. His subsequent play never matched the initial performance that made fans believe. And then there was Trey Lance.
For the first time since Alex Smith, and the first time in the Kyle Shanahan Era, the 49ers were gunning for a blue chip, toolsy, high profile quarterback from the college ranks. They traded up to No. 3 and the hype train left the station. Debate and personal preference dominated the pre-draft season. But one thing was certain: Niners fans would have another opportunity to dream again. To believe that maybe, just maybe, this would be their franchise savior.
Draft night, 2021, the 49ers picked up the phone and made Lance their quarterback of the future. The 20 year old took the stage in a crisp navy blue suit, complete with black designed lapels from the bespoke company. On his feet, Christian Louboutin loafers. On his wrist, a brilliant Cartier buss down watch. And on his back, all the pressure and hype and opportunity that comes with being the next San Francisco 49ers quarterback.
The excitement and hope of what could be, continued into the offseason. Pictures and news of Lance working with Brandon Aiyuk and Richie James made the rounds. You see, Lance had every single tangible you could want. He was big, strong, fast. He had superb arm talent. He had the ability to make plays from inside the pocket, and outside the pocket. He also had intangibles. He was intelligent. Extremely mature. Well spoken, a natural leader. Everything about him screamed franchise quarterback.
When training camp began, Lance came out the gates hot. Daily camp reports compared Lance and Garoppolo, throw for throw, in real time. Lance had taken an early lead. As training camp and preseason continued, the competition tightened. Several beat reporters began making the case that it was Garoppolo's job to lose, and that Lance wasn’t doing anything to outright take the job. Others believed Lance had been good enough to earn the starting opportunity. That with a higher ceiling, and as the team's future, he should play immediately. Shahanan would break the tie, naming Garoppolo the starting quarterback.
Lance would not get his opportunity to be QB1 his first season. He’d play in relief duty. Struggling a little, but also flashing the big play potential that got him drafted.
Year 1 would come and go. 49ers fans didn’t learn all that much about their franchise quarterback hopeful. They knew he was raw, inexperienced. They also knew he had top 5 quarterback potential. The question was, could coaching and could Lance himself unlock that potential.
As the 2022 offseason got underway, Lance was now firmly recognized as QB1. It was his team, his job, and his opportunity to be the franchise guy.
The 2022 draft was an important one for Shanahan and John Lynch. Without a first round pick, they would need to find value in later rounds. Their team building philosophy, to prioritize the line of scrimmage, held fast. They selected two defensive linemen, and two offensive linemen. But it was their last pick in Round 7 that would unknowingly be their most important.
The 49ers had made all but one of their draft picks. They began working the phones, looking to get a jump on the UDFA market. Shanahan and his staff hoped to bring in a quarterback who would compete for a practice squad job. As the last pick in the NFL draft came around, the 49ers decided to make quarterback Brock Purdy 2022's Mr. Irrelevant.
If Lance was drafted to be the 49ers Patrick Mahomes, Purdy was drafted to be their Chad Henne. The Iowa State signal caller was the definition of mid. He was even a punchline for some Niners fans on social media. He didn’t have a starting quarterback name. He didn’t have a starting quarterback look. He wasn’t big. He wasn’t fast. He didn’t possess plus arm talent. But what Purdy lacked in physical ability, he made up for cognitively. Purdy processed the game well, made good decisions, and played clean, disciplined football. The perfect Shanahan backup.
As the 2022 season opener neared, Lance had the starting job firmly locked up. In the same QB room, rookie Purdy had earned himself a spot on the 53. He would back up Lance's backup.
San Francisco kicked off their season playing a rebuilding Chicago Bears team. A much anticipated matchup between sophomore quarterbacks Lance and Justin Fields made for great television.
Lance showed off his arm early, ripping several fantastic throws downfield for nice gains. In the beginning of the second quarter, Lance would play action fake into a deep drop. From the far hash, he’d drive a ball on a line, back across the field to the opposite sideline where Ray-Ray McCloud made the catch. That one play alone immediately made the rounds on group texts and NFL Twitter. Lance had THAT in his bag. A throw maybe 5 other QBs could hit.
As the game went on, Lance would have a mixed bag, some good plays and some bad plays. In the second half the rain picked up. Field conditions worsened, passing became more difficult, and Lance struggled a bit late. The 49ers would lose a close, low scoring affair.
For people who already disliked Lance, the Chicago game just confirmed their bias. They were now doubling down though. While it was fair to offer critique of Lance's game, you had some people calling him a flat out bust.
Many 49ers fans had a more rational take on the situation. They understood Lance to be a very talented, but inexperienced young quarterback. It would require patience, by everyone, to develop Lance and unlock his potential.
Week 2, the 49ers played the rival Seahawks. A day, and game, many would like to forget. Lance and the Niners offense started off well, moving the ball methodically up the field. Lance looked in control, he made good decisions, and started to get into a bit of a rhythm. And then Shanahan called Lance's number for the third time, on a run play. It was the last play of Lance's season.
The Lance injury thrust a familiar face back into the lineup: Garoppolo. He was a short term solution to a long term problem. He’d be a one year Band Aid for a 49ers team with Super Bowl aspirations. And for a stretch of games, Garoppolo held it down. Until he didn’t.
The Miami Dolphins were the hottest team in the AFC. A Shanahan disciple, Mike McDaniel, was a first year head coach, but very clearly belonged. He had his offense humming. The Niners rolled into the game with pressure and expectations. This would be their toughest test in weeks.
Early in the game, Garoppolo broke his ankle. And as No. 10 left the field, the team's Super Bowl hopes left with him. The season felt over. Lance, QB1, out for year. Garoppolo, QB2, out for year. In at quarterback, Purdy, rookie, last overall pick.
There’s an old saying, never judge a book by its cover. I think the same can be said for Purdy. He could walk through a shopping mall, and not a soul would notice him. When the quiet, ordinary, almost shy, 23 year old walked into the huddle, something changed. He embodied swagger, presence, a cool poise rare in a rookie quarterback. And his play matched his body language. He was sharp, intelligent with his decisions, precise with ball placement, and in complete command of the team. The Niners beat the breaks off Miami.
All it took was 3.5 quarters, and Purdy went from a relative unknown, to a national story. He’d make his first start the next week, against Tom Brady. And outplay the GOAT.
The next week, the 49ers would travel to Seattle, with an opportunity to clinch the NFC West. Purdy would throw 2 touchdowns and lead his team to victory.
With every touchdown throw, every game won, the legend grew. Purdy transcended the 49ers fan base and the local market. He led national sports TV shows. The Brock Purdy phenomenon had never been seen before. The team around him was extremely talented, but a rookie QB was supposed to come crashing back down to earth at some point. And he never did. Purdy would finish the regular season without a loss.
Purdy and the Niners would host Seattle in the playoffs. The young signal caller started the game shaky, missing some throws. Purdy had also shown on tape a tendency to spin out left when feeling pressure. Pete Carroll's plan was to force the rookie quarterback into mistakes.
Again Purdy was tested, and again he rose and delivered, to the tune of 330 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 49ers won and advanced.
Against Dallas, Purdy and the offense faced their stiffest test in months. Coming into the game routinely scoring in the 30s, they were held to 19 points. Purdy didn’t do anything spectacular, but he played winning football, protected the ball, made big third down throws, and won. He was 2-0 in the playoffs.
Once again, the injury gods withheld their blessing and favor. Purdy would take their opening offensive drive of the NFC Championship game, and began to move the ball. It looked as though it would be another Purdy performance. Two quick completions. Two first downs. And then the fateful 2nd and 6 play action pass. Purdy’s rookie season came to an abrupt end.
Lance and Purdy could not be more different. Lance looks like a starting quarterback. Purdy looks like a backup. Lance was highly sought after, highly regarded, and highly drafted. Purdy was overlooked, undervalued, and barely drafted. Lance has every tool and characteristic you want in a franchise quarterback. Purdy lacks tools and tangibles. Lance was drafted to be the guy. Purdy was drafted to maybe run scout team for the guy. But there is one thing they share. Both Lance and Purdy have the opportunity to take the bull by the horns, and never let go. One of these guys can be THE guy.
I don’t think we’ve seen the last, or best, from either of these young men. Lance has entirely too much untapped potential to write him off already. He’s also only 22 years old. We have yet to see him with the full, healthy cast of 49ers offensive weapons. Purdy has a skill set that should translate to long term success in this league. There was nothing flukey about his play. Although not boasting as high of a ceiling as Lance, Purdy has his own unique ability to play make and be dynamic with his legs. He also has valuable game experience, and should benefit greatly from it.
A competition will take place. And these two hungry, talented young players will battle for franchise quarterback honors. May the best man win.
