Brock Purdy needs to be 49ers starting QB, not Trey Lance

The debate should be over. The San Francisco 49ers need to have Brock Purdy start in 2023 over Trey Lance. Niner Noise explains why.

The San Francisco 49ers presumably will have two, possibly three, options at quarterback to begin the 2023 season. Brock Purdy and Trey Lance hopefully will be in full health when the regular season begins. The other option is a veteran quarterback who’s just fine being a mentor and going to the playoffs.

However, no matter who’s available, this is Purdy’s team. Mr. Irrelevant, as the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, showed on and off the field he can handle being the Niners’ quarterback. It’s a daunting task when everyone expects you to be like Super Bowl champions Joe Montana and Steve Young.

But Purdy has the “it” factor.

In a league full of flashy young stars like the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, and the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Patrick Mahomes, Purdy brings a different perspective: Head in the playbook, neutral approach to the media whether San Francisco wins or loses, and a willingness to help teammates no matter their star power.

Now keep in mind, this isn’t to say Lance isn’t deserving of a shot. The 49ers gave up a lot of draft real estate to select him third overall back in the 2021 draft. He’ll certainly get his opportunity to show the coaches and general manager they made the right choice.

Brock Purdy, 49ers have unfinished business

Finishing the season winning every game you started but the NFC Championship certainly locks you in first on the depth chart. Purdy fits the scheme head coach Kyle Shanahan has in place: He’s able to escape the pocket, makes relatively smart decisions with the football, and has the accuracy to take the offense to another level.

After the Niners lost in the NFC Championship, you knew Purdy was already thinking about getting healthy and focusing on getting his team into the Super Bowl.

An advantage Purdy also has over Lance is the sample size. Purdy played more college football over the last few years and obviously started more games for the Niners in just one season.

Purdy finished his 2022 regular season campaign with a 5-0 record, 13 touchdowns, four interceptions, and 1,374 yards.

49ers culture is unmatched

It’s unfortunate the 49ers have to deal with another offseason of “what ifs?” On the bright side, there’s more clarity.

With a large chunk of the team returning next season including prized in-season acquisition running back Christian McCaffery, Purdy and the Niners have a chance to start keep the machine running.

Read more: Brock Purdy surgery delayed, Niners to hunt for QBs

One of the most underrated aspects is their chemistry. This team is truly a family. They supported quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo through his ups and downs, they came together when it was Lance’s turn to run the offense, and they thrived with Purdy.

The best way to keep the culture the same is to have consistency with your starting quarterback.

This is a group of all-stars who could make it about themselves individually but don’t. The culture that CEO Jed York, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have created is something else.

Even former players bring up how much they liked playing in the Bay Area:

At the end of the day, it’ll all depend on who’s the healthiest and had the best preseason.

But if Purdy is healthy and ready to go, this is his team until he shows otherwise.