4 bold predictions for 49ers 2023 season
By Peter Panacy
Let's go ahead and lay out some bold 49ers predictions for 2023, shall we? Perhaps it'd be good if some came true, while others... not so much.
Predictions are funny things, particularly when looking at an upcoming NFL season.
There's no exact math on this, but probably 90 percent of predictions end up being wrong in one way or another. But that doesn't stop us from trying anyway.
For the San Francisco 49ers, we've already tried predicting their regular-season record for 2023. Same with their 53-man roster and depth chart for the upcoming campaign.
Guarantees, those predictions will be wrong.
Some of these bold predictions will be wrong, too, but that won't stop us from making them. And, as is always the case with bold predictions, they're aggressive. "Tame predictions" is a little too docile.
At any rate, here are some bold predictions for the Niners' upcoming season.
49ers bold prediction No. 1: Brock Purdy doesn't finish 2023 as starting QB
Despite undergoing offseason surgery to repair a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, San Francisco has effectively minted second-year man Brock Purdy as the starting quarterback for 2023.
It makes sense, as Purdy was highly effective down the stretch of his rookie season, helping win five consecutive games and taking the 49ers to the NFC Championship game where he suffered that UCL injury.
Purdy has already pushed fellow QBs, Trey Lance and Sam Darnold, down the depth chart. But, what if Purdy's mini hot streak to close out the 2022 season was merely a case of beginner's luck? What if all the reasons why Purdy went undrafted until the final pick of 2022 come to the surface?
It might not be ideal for anyone but Lance and Darnold, but this bold prediction suggests Purdy winds up losing his grip on the Niners' starting job.