San Francisco 49ers running-back Christian McCaffrey has given his thoughts on the quarterback debate between Brock Purdy and Trey Lance after head coach Kyle Shanahan appeared to suggest that the breakthrough rookie from last season may be their starter.
Lance was drafted third overall by the 49ers back in 2021, and was seen as the long-term replacement to Jimmy Garoppolo by the franchise. Garoppolo ended up staying an extra season than initially planned and was meant to be their back-up last year, but came straight back into the line-up after Lance saw his first season as a starter end in Week Two after breaking his ankle.
Garoppolo then saw his season end through injury in Week 12 and against all the odds Purdy was then made their starter for the remainder of the campaign. Purdy went 5-0 in the regular season and led the 49ers to the NFC Championship, leaving the franchise with a huge decision to make moving forward.
Lance was always meant to be the starter for the 49ers, but Purdy's incredible rise despite being 'Mr Irrelevant' has made him the standout candidate. All eyes are on the start of next season to see who will start, but Shanahan hinted that it could be Purdy that gets the call.
Purdy is still recovering from an injury he sustained in the NFC Championship defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, and will only start throwing again next week. Purdy may not even be ready for Week One of the 2023 season, but it seems as though Shanahan is willing to give him the chance whenever he returns.
"We’re hoping for Week One and feeling pretty optimistic about that. That’s what we’re hoping for, he’ll be ready to play in Week One," Shanahan said when being asked about Purdy's progress. "And usually that doesn’t mean that’s the day he comes back — usually you’ve got to come before that to make that goal. And that’s kind of the goal we’re hoping for and don’t have any reason to think differently."
The 49ers roster all got behind Purdy last season, and following the departure of Garoppolo they've brought in Sam Darnold as a third option for 2023. McCaffrey is one of the newest members of the franchise after arriving from the Carolina Panthers last season, and doesn't appear too concerned about whether he's playing with Lance or Purdy moving forward.
"You just go about your business," McCaffrey told Eisen. "For me, no matter who the quarterback is, I have to get open. I'm not thinking about the quarterback. I'm thinking about getting open, hitting the right holes, doing my job. Otherwise, it doesn't matter.
"And I think everybody has that mentality. It's do your job, do it at the highest level. I'm not a quarterback evaluator. People ask me all the time, how's the quarterback? I have no idea. I don't know mechanics. I have no idea how to evaluate quarterbacks. But what I do know is all three of them are amazing. All three of them are great options."
But McCaffrey did break down his thoughts on the three quarterback options, as he added: "I talk about Brock and what he did last year, and not just how he played, but the way he carried himself. He's built to be a quarterback in this league.
"I didn't get to play with Trey last year, but from what I've seen so far, Trey has been great. He's been awesome. And obviously, I've played with Sam, and I know what Sam can do, and seeing all the things that he's been doing this OTAs, too. I think, for us, it's nice knowing that we have three great options.
"And like I said, I don't know who the quarterback is going to be. And frankly, my job is just to be as ready to go as I can for whoever it is. But I just know that we're in good hands no matter what. And I pray to God I don't have to play quarterback again."
