4 dream scenarios the 49ers would love to have in 2023

49ers dream scenario No. 4: A franchise QB is (finally) identified

If we're being honest here, the last time the Niners had a true long-term franchise quarterback was with Hall of Famer Steve Young, and he called it a career in 1999 after injuries took their toll.

Sure, San Francisco had some flirtations with quarterbacks who may have been viewed as "the guy" going forward, but if we're being honest, it's been pretty bleak as far as someone who could hold the starting job for 10-plus years.

Perhaps that changes in 2023, though.

The three candidates vying for that role this season are Brock Purdy, Trey Lance and Sam Darnold. Each has promising bits, and each has his reasons why there are doubts. For Purdy, he was the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. What did 31 other teams miss over the course of six-plus rounds? For Lance, he has just four regular-season starts since being drafted at No. 3 overall in 2021. And, for Darnold, he's flamed out with two different teams, the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, since his own No. 3 overall drafting in 2018.

Look, who cares who winds up winning the QB1 role this season. If Purdy, Lance or Darnold somehow prove to be a franchise-caliber signal-caller for the next decade, everything else this upcoming season will be ancillary.

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