3 observations on Day 1 of 49ers training camp 2023

The 49ers finally began their preseason with the first day of training camp. Niner Noise gives you a brief rundown on the start of the new season.

Hallelujah! The preseason has finally begun as the San Francisco 49ers gather onto the field to begin training camp as well as the new season.

Read More: What's next for Trey Lance after 49ers reveal Brock Purdy is back healthy?


Baseball is all well and good and the San Francisco Giants might actually make the playoffs this year, but there's nothing quite like the beginning of camp. The 49ers certainly have their work cut out for them as they try to move past the Philadelphia Eagles as the best team in the NFC and make the Super Bowl.

But you're not here for baseball or carefully guarded statements about the new season, you're here to know what happened in camp on Day 1.

You're in the right place.

Trey Lance and Sam Darnold start well

Presumptive starting quarterback Brock Purdy didn't throw on Day 1 so Trey Lance and Sam Darnold split starting duties as both try to grab a hold of the backup job and perhaps challenge Purdy down the line.

Both were fine but not spectacular. They made some good throws and Lance has noticeably better mechanics entering his third season, they made some plays on the ground (Darnold is much quicker than people realize) and they looked pretty comfortable.

Jordan Mason fumbles as Ty Davis-Price and Khalan Laborn look impressive

Christian McCaffrey didn't practice, so it was a chance for the backup running backs to demonstrate what they could do. Jordan Mason is the presumptive RB3 behind McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell, but he didn't exactly shine with a dropped pass and a fumble while those behind him on the depth chart had more impressive days on the field.

Second-year running back Ty Davis-Price and undrafted rookie Khalan Laborn had better days than Mason, but there's not much use in overreacting on Day 1.

Just something to note.

Nick Bosa holdout begins, but nothing to worry about... yet

Not exactly the most shocking of news, but EDGE Nick Bosa began his holdout today as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year looks for a shiny new contract.

It's not ideal but nothing to press the panic button over either. Bosa expects and deserves to be paid, and it's a matter of when the 49ers do so, not a matter of if.

One of the elite players in the NFL, the 49ers obviously have no intention of allowing Bosa to walk.

But don't expect a contract to be done tomorrow either.

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