Updated 49ers quarterback depth chart after free agency

The 49ers have only one new face in their quarterback room, but there have been multiple transactions behind Brock Purdy.

The San Francisco 49ers have a franchise quarterback in Brock Purdy. That's not an issue.

However, heading into 2024, the Niners' quarterback depth chart included Purdy and no one else. It was an issue as to who would back Purdy up this year, as both Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen were both pegged for NFL free agency.

That left the door open for plenty of possibilities. Would Darnold and/or Allen return to their respective roles as QB2 and QB3 in 2024? Would either depart San Francisco for the chance of a better opportunity elsewhere? Would the 49ers target a veteran in free agency, or would they execute some sort of trade, perhaps for another soon-to-be castoff like Zach Wilson?

Would the Niners turn to the NFL Draft where they found late-round success in Purdy two years earlier?

Well, it appears as if San Francisco has resolved those questions with a couple of notable transactions during the opening waves of free agency.

The 49ers re-signed Allen to a one-year deal but watched as Darnold departed for the Minnesota Vikings, who said farewell to their longtime starter, Kirk Cousins, who left for the Atlanta Falcons.

But that only answered one of two vacancies on the depth chart.

Subsequently, the Niners signed journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs, who had two touchdowns against San Francisco last season when he was with the Arizona Cardinals and has 14 starts under his belt, to a one-year deal.

This likely rounds out the 49ers' quarterback room, barring any late-round additions in the 2024 NFL Draft.

So, what's the depth chart going to look like? With Purdy as the starter, where will both Dobbs and Allen fall?

49ers quarterback depth chart entering 2024

The Niners have three quarterbacks on their offseason roster after re-signing Allen and inking Dobbs.

As far as the pecking order, here's how it's likely to pan out:

1. Brock Purdy
2. Josh Dobbs
3. Brandon Allen

Dobbs, 29 years old, has five more NFL-level starts than the 31-year-old Allen, which is a decent indicator that the former will be QB2 on the depth chart despite Allen having a full year immersed within head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.

But there's another indicator, too. Follow the money.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Dobbs' contract contains $2.25 million fully guaranteed, which isn't exactly third-string kind of money:

Allen's one-year deal, meanwhile, is worth up to $1.54 million but with only $400,000 in guarantees, per Over the Cap.

Granted, Allen will have a shot at competing with Allen for Purdy's primary backup. But, as far as both experience and financials go, it's Dobbs' job to lose.

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