San Francisco 49ers Make Tough Choices in Quarterback Line-Up

• NFL

The San Francisco 49ers have put an end to the swirling speculation surrounding their backup quarterback selection. Coach Kyle Shanahan, on Wednesday, confirmed that Sam Darnold has clinched the No. 2 spot, playing backup to Brock Purdy.

A credible source informed ESPN that while the team will keep all options open for Trey Lance, the No. 3 pick from the 2021 NFL draft, there's no certainty on his immediate future. In an interview with KNBR radio in San Francisco, Shanahan voiced his hope that Lance would continue as a potential third choice.

He stated, "I'm really hoping so. I mean, this isn't a thing that we're giving up on Trey. This is more about how Brock played in his seven games. They both looked good, but a decision had to be made, and around 10 days ago, Sam really started to shine."

The Impact of Tough Choices

Lance was noticeably absent from Wednesday's practice, an outcome of a morning discussion he had with Shanahan.

"These are conversations I have to have with guys a lot and they're never easy. They're really tough," Shanahan reflected, underscoring the gravity of the situation, especially with it being Trey and considering his draft pick status.

The coach added, "Given how Trey felt post our chat, we believed it was best for him to take the day off, get some space, and clear his mind. We plan to reconnect later in the afternoon and hope to see him back in action tomorrow." The 49ers are not considering having more than three quarterbacks on their active roster.

This implies that one quarterback may soon be without a spot. Surprisingly, that player might be Lance, who only a year back was on the cusp of leading the 49ers into the new season. However, things took a challenging turn for Lance after suffering a broken right ankle in Week 2, sidelining him for the rest of the season.

This incident allowed Purdy to step up, who not only delivered a 7-1 record as a starter but also took the team to the NFC Championship Game. Shanahan remains optimistic about Lance's future. "I truly believe he will see significant success in this league.

He's faced setbacks, missing crucial opportunities due to injuries. We will always have his best interest at heart, ensuring that his career is not negatively impacted. Trey is aware of how much we value him. Ideally, he remains with us, but we'll explore what's best for everyone moving forward."