49ers training camp: Each position's top battle to watch in 2023
By Peter Panacy
Top 49ers quarterback battle: Backup QB
Players in the mix: Trey Lance, Sam Darnold
By now, one should pretty much assume San Francisco wants second-year pro Brock Purdy to be the starting quarterback. All signs are pointing to that, and even general manager John Lynch indicated that was the direction the 49ers were heading.
What that means for two No. 3 overall draft picks, Trey Lance and Sam Darnold, is anyone's guess.
Lance, in particular was supposed to be the franchise signal-caller by now, but a broken ankle in Week 2 last season eventually led to Purdy's unexpected rise from being the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Now, Lance and Darnold are battling it out to be Purdy's primary backup. And, with Purdy still on the mend after undergoing offseason elbow surgery, that QB2 role could very well be the Niners' opening day starter.
Of course, this is the top storyline that San Francisco has faced all offseason. So, it only makes sense it's the No. 1 battle at this particular position, too.
That's not likely to change until the end of the preseason either.
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