Analyzing Day 5 of the 2023 49ers QB Competition

SANTA CLARA -- Here's what Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen did on Day 5 of 49ers training camp. Keep in mind, the 49ers wore pads for the first time this offseason.

BROCK PURDY

Completed 10 of 14 passes and threw his second interception of camp -- not good considering he has practiced just three of the five days. Today, he was money whenever he threw short or over the middle. He even threw a touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey on a seam route. But longer throws gave Purdy's surgically-repaired elbow issues. For example, on one play Kyle Shanahan called a pattern that featured a deep out route for George Kittle. Purdy threw to Kittle, but the ball died and one-hopped him. So on the next play, Shanahan called another pattern that featured a deep out by Kittle. Again, Purdy threw to Kittle, but this time Purdy really muscled up so he could throw 25 yards to the sideline. Unfortunately for him, he failed to see linebacker Dre Greenlaw dropping into zone coverage, standing exactly where Kittle would end up. So Purdy reached back and threw an interception right to Greenlaw. A few plays later, Purdy had Brandon Aiyuk wide open for a deep touchdown but underthrew the pass and allowed Deommodore Lenoir to recover and make a play. It's still early in camp, but so far Purdy looks like Jimmy Garoppolo -- a quarterback with limited arm strength who is prone to getting intercepted by linebackers.

TREY LANCE

Had his best day of camp and his second good day in a row. Completed 9 of 10 pass attempts. His only incompletion was a short throw to running back Jordan Mason who never turned his head to find the ball. Which means Lance was near perfect. His best throw was a 15-yard strike over the middle to Danny Gray for a first down. Lance didn't complete any deep passes, but he was accurate on the short to intermediate ones. And most importantly, he threw the ball in rhythm and on time. Earlier in camp he seemed hesitant and sometimes would hold the ball instead of throwing to open receivers. Today, he simply let it rip. Didn't second-guess himself. Played with confidence. And as a result, he was the best quarterback on the field. Keep it up, Trey.

SAM DARNOLD

Also had his second good day in a row. Completed 6 of 8 passes. His best throw was a 15-yard completion over the middle to Ray-Ray McCloud on 3rd and 7. His worst throw was a deep pass intended for Deebo Samuel that hung in the air and got broken up by Qwuantrezz Knight. Other than that throw, Darnold was sharp. He and Lance were the best quarterbacks on the field today, while Purdy was rusty and Brandon Allen was Brandon Allen.

BRANDON ALLEN

Still on the team unfortunately. Completed just one of four pass attempts and got two throws batted down at the line of scrimmage. His only completion was a five-yard dump off to backup fullback Jack Colletto. Every rep that Allen takes is a rep that should go to Lance or Darnold instead.