Analyzing Day 13 of the 2023 49ers QB Competition

Henderson, NV -- Here's what Trey Lance, Sam Darnold, Brock Purdy and Jimmy Garoppolo did on Day 13 of 49ers training camp.

TREY LANCE

Once upon a time, the 49ers spent three first-round picks on Lance just to replace Garoppolo, because Garoppolo simply isn't good enough for them. Today, the 49ers like Lance so much that they gave him two whole pass attempts during 11-on-11 team drills and he completed one of them. Clearly, the 49ers would love to give him more reps, but unfortunately for him, they have two other elite quarterbacks, and there aren't enough reps to go around. Sorry, Trey. Better luck next year.

SAM DARNOLD

A few weeks ago, Kyle Shanahan rhetorically asked why Darnold can't be the next Steve Young -- that's how highly the 49ers think of Darnold. And yet, they couldn't get him meaningul reps today, either -- he completed three of three pass attempts during 11 on 11s -- because they have a franchise quarterback who took almost all the reps today, as franchise quarterbacks, should. Nothing personal, Sam.

BROCK PURDY

A week ago, Shanahan said Purdy is "the real deal," meaning a franchise quarterback. Someone the 49ers can build around for the next 10 years. Someone even better than the next Steve Young. Meaning Purdy could be the next Joe Montana, who certainly was the real deal. It's such a pleasure and a priviledge to watch Purdy do his job, because he's a master of his craft. The way he gets the offense in and out of the huddle. The way he struts to the line of scrimmage. The way he points at players on the defense before the snap. The way he combs his hair. It's all elite. Today, he practiced running the hurry-up offense. I've never seen a quarterback operate this offense so quickly. I was in awe. And sure, Purdy completed just 14 of 27 pass attempts and threw two interceptions and another that got dropped plus a third that got picked off during 7 on 7s. But he also threw one touchdown pass and ran for another on a quarterback draw. So he wasn't completely awful. And frankly, it doesn't matter what Purdy does in practices, because he's an established elite quarterback. His resume speaks for itself -- he has seven career wins. What a staggering achievement. I look forward to watching the next decade-plus of Purdy under center for the 49ers, because he already is the second-best quarterback in franchise history. Kyle Shanahan truly knows how to scout, develop and protect his young quarterbacks. Credit where credit is due.

JIMMY GAROPPOLO

Yesterday, Shanahan said Garoppolo was the 49ers' best quarterback since Steve Young, meaning better than Jeff Garcia, who went to three consequtive Pro Bowls with the 49ers. Garoppolo has gone to none. And yet, Shanahan had extremely high praise for him just a few months after running him off the team. Today, Garoppolo completed 12 of 18 pass attempts and threw a touchdown pass against the 49ers starting defense. He drove right through it with ease multiple times. Which means he was the best quarterback on the field for the second day in a row. But the 49ers don't need him anymore because they have their franchise quarterback plus the next Steve Young plus a 23-year-old they spent three-first-round picks to acquire. Forget Jimmy. The future is in good hands.