Why the 49ers Should Draft a Quarterback Next Year

The 49ers seem to have their franchise quarterback for the next 10 seasons in Brock Purdy. Still, they should draft a quarterback next year.

Not because they need to replace Purdy -- they simply need a quality backup. And it's not Sam Darnold.

The 49ers stumbled into creating the blueprint for finding a quality starting quarterback in 2023: Draft a four-year starter on Day 3, pay him next to nothing and put him on a team with expensive veterans all over the place. That's what they did with Brock Purdy, and it's what they should do in the upcoming draft.

By no means should the 49ers re-sign Sam Darnold or try to find the next bust-turned-reclamation project. That is not the blueprint to finding the next quality quarterback. That's the blueprint to wasting time and money on a proven loser.

Signing Darnold was a mistake to begin with -- he makes nearly five times more than Purdy, and he's not good. If Darnold had to start a game, the 49ers probably would lose it. So what are they paying for?

Instead of signing a shaky veteran, simply draft another quarterback on Day 3. Someone who will make even less money than Purdy. Someone with a similar background and skill set, too.

If the 49ers can strike gold with Purdy, why not try to find another quarterback like him? They also could sign Nick Mullens, who is cheap and knows the 49ers system.

Whatever they do, don't sign another expensive loser.