Analyzing Day 8 of the 2023 49ers QB Competition

SANTA CLARA -- Here's what Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen did on Day 8 of 49ers training camp.

BROCK PURDY

Completed 12 of 18 passes, took two sacks, threw one touchdown pass and one interception. Also had a potential second interception dropped. His touchdown throw was a beautiful 20-yard fade to Deebo Samuel, who snatched the ball away from Charvarius Ward in the back right corner of the end zone. The pass was perfect. The catch was even better. The interception was a late, blind throw to the right flat that sailed directly to Tashaun Gipson -- that's the second time in camp Purdy has thrown that exact interception to that exact defender. Not great. And when Purdy tried to throw deep, he repeatedly under threw his target, as usual. First, he threw deep up the left sideline to George Kittle, who had Dre Greenlaw beat for a touchdown. But the pass made Kittle stop, reach back over Greenlaw and make a spectacular catch. A few plays later on 3rd and 4, Purdy threw deep to Samuel who ran a fade from the slot toward the left sideline. This time, Purdy telegraphed the pass, led the safety to the receiver and threw the ball right to Talanoa Hufanga, who dropped an easy interception. Overall, Purdy was okay. Nothing special. He looked like an average professional quarterback. He did not look like one who can win a Super Bowl.

SAM DARNOLD

Completed 12 of 14 pass attempts, which is impressive. But he was playing against the second-string defense and his longest completion traveled just 10 yards, which is hardly impressive. Darnold has a big arm, but he doesn't want to use it. He wants to be Brock Purdy, which is kind of sad and kind of funny at the same time, because the 49ers need a quarterback who can transcend Purdy's skillset, and Darnold could be that guy, but chooses not to be.

TREY LANCE

Completed 8 of 11 pass attempts while playing mostly with and against third-stringers. His best pass was a 25-yard completion that hit Jauan Jennings in stride as he ran a deep crossing route. When Lance struggled, he typically hesitated in the pocket, and then either threw a late pass to the flat or he scrambled. He needs to be more decisive and less afraid of making mistakes -- he seems like a young Alex Smith. Which means he probably isn't ready to lead a team to a Super Bowl victory, either.

BRANDON ALLEN

Took reps he shouldn't have gotten and completed 3 of 5 pass attempts. It's going to be hilarious when the 49ers release Brandon Allen and try to sneak him on the practice squad but another team picks him up and puts him on their 53-man roster. At least the 49ers will have prepared Allen for his new job.