Rethinking 49ers 53-man roster after first wave of 2021 cuts

49ers Quarterbacks (2)

QB Jimmy Garoppolo

QB Trey Lance

PS: QB Nate Sudfeld

The time of keeping three quarterbacks has got to be over for the 49ers, given the state of their current starter and backup.

As they learned in 2020, a team that ends up needing its third quarterback is likely looking at a lost season, so using a valuable roster spot on that position doesn’t feel like the right thing to do.

Whether rookie first-round pick Trey Lance ends up taking over the starting position at some point this season remains to be seen, but the Niners should run with Lance and incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo, allowing the best man to win.

That said, the loosened practice squad rules should mean San Francisco a chance to keep Nate Sudfeld as part of that unit, so if something were to happen to either Garoppolo or Lance, the team will at least have someone who knows the offense.

Especially in the wake of Sudfeld effectively beating out Josh Rosen for this role.