Who should win the 49ers backup QB job behind Brock Purdy?

Kyle Shanahan still hasn't decided as to who will sit behind Brock Purdy on the San Francisco 49ers quarterback depth chart. We've seen the Niners play three preseason games yet Shanahan is still waiting to announce who will be the backup quarterback for the 2024 season.

With Sam Darnold off to Minnesota, the 49ers had to find someone new to sit behind Purdy in 2024. There are two candidates to pick from.

Behind door number one is Joshua Dobbs, a former fourth-round pick out of Tennessee in 2017, who has spent time with the Steelers, Titans, Cardinals, and Vikings before landing with the 49ers this offseason. Most people will remember him for having a wildly impressive 2023 season both with the Cardinals and Vikings before it eventually came crashing down.

Dobbs has been excellent during the preseason, throwing for 351 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while dashing for 28 yards and two scores with his legs. He's also proven that he can be a solid backup in the past.

Behind door number two is Brandon Allen, a former sixth-rounder out of Arkansas in 2016. Allen was drafted by the Jaguars but he didn't see the field during a regular-season game until 2019 when he started three games for the Broncos. He spent the next three years as Joe Burrow's backup in Cincinnati where he six games.

Allen signed with the Niners last offseason but Darnold claimed the backup spot over him. He hasn't been as sharp during the preseason, throwing for 194 yards with zero touchdowns and zero picks. He doesn't have the ability to take off and run with the football like Dobbs does and that needs to be taken into strong consideration here.

Joshua Dobbs should win 49ers QB2 job

The winner of this one feels easy. Dobbs has proven in the past that he's a solid and dependable backup quarterback. If Purdy has to miss a handful of games, Dobbs is more fit to run Shanahan's offense than Allen is.

Allen has had an extra year in Shanahan's offense but you wouldn't know it watching the two compete this summer. This shouldn't be a hard decision for the 49ers coaching staff to make but perhaps Shanahan will go with the guy who's been in the system longer over the more proven option this preseason.

We'll have to wait and see what Kyle Shanahan decides because as we all know, if the starting quarterback goes down, a backup quarterback can either keep your team afloat or tank the rest of the season.