The San Francisco 49ers have a quarterback situation, and that's putting it lightly.
After ending the year with all four of their quarterbacks injured, San Francisco heads into the offseason without an imminent answer of who their starter will be in 2023 for the third consecutive offseason.
Brock Purdy, who finished the year as the 49ers' starter, will undergo UCL surgery next week that is expected to sideline him for six months, while Trey Lance, last season's starter to begin the year, is nearly recovered from a fractured ankle that he sustained in Week 2 of the regular season.
However, one thing is certain: the 49ers are going to need at least one more quarterback, as Purdy will not be available for organized team activities(OTAs) and potentially even training camp with his injury timeline.
So, with several options hitting the market this offseason, who should the 49ers target in the offseason to fill their quarterback void?
1. Jacoby Brissett
In 11 starts with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 while Deshaun Watson was suspended, Jacoby Brissett put together a fairly solid season, completing 64% of his passes, while throwing for 237 yards per game with a 12:6 touchdown-interception ratio.
The Browns weren't very successful during Brissett's tenure as the quarterback, but it wasn't necessarily due to the veteran signal-caller, who enters free agency as the top backup/bridge option available.
The issue with the 49ers and Brissett? Salary.
Brissett will likely command a raise from his $4.65 million salary in 2022, perhaps looking for a multi-year deal as a bridge quarterback with the opportunity to potentially start, which San Francisco doesn't really provide with two quarterbacks in their future plans.
Additionally, the 49ers are already low on cap space and may look towards a cheaper option on the open market, given that whomever they sign likely ends up as the third-string quarterback for the majority of the season.
2. Teddy Bridgewater
Like Brissett, Bridgewater possesses starting experience as he transitions into his new role as a predominantly backup/bridge quarterback in the NFL.
Bridgewater saw limited action in 2022, filling in for an injured Tua Tagovailoa, but faced injuries of his own during the season.
However, he has a year of experience in Mike McDaniel's system, and possesses enough mobility to share similar traits to San Francisco's other quarterbacks on the active roster.
Bridgewater likely doesn't command the salary that Brissett should get, as he didn't look nearly as good as the Browns quarterback in 2022, potentially making him a more favorable option as the free agency comes along.
3. Taylor Heinecke
Taylor Heinecke is another quarterback with starter experience hitting the open market, having been with the Washington Commanders for the past three seasons.
While his statistics don't really pop off the charts in any way, he has grittiness, as well as the aggressiveness to attempt downfield throws, which head coach Kyle Shanahan has done a great job of scheming open during his coaching career, which could pose a mutual fit for the two sides.
Even further, Heinecke alluded this week that he wouldn't mind being a backup in the NFL, acknowledging that being a backup quarterback is probably the best job in America.
Heinecke shouldn't come too expensive and could be a viable competitor for the younger quarterbacks when they become fully healthy.
4. Andy Dalton
Another option, amongst others, hitting the open market is aging veteran Andy Dalton, who spent significant time as the starter for the New Orleans Saints in 2022.
Dalton made just $3 million this season and shouldn't expect a significant salary heading into his age-36 season.
In 12 starts, Dalton threw for 2,871 yards, while accumulating an 18:9 touchdown-interception ratio on the year.
Dalton doesn't have the mobility of the other options, but possesses valuable NFL experience, which could serve as an additional tool for San Francisco's developing quarterbacks alongside quarterbacks coach Brian Griese, while being able to step in when needed.