The San Francisco 49ers await Friday's outcome of quarterback Brock Purdy's surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. His recovery could be anywhere from six to nine months, depending on what Dr. Keith Meister finds once surgery begins. A ligament repair paired with an internal brace would put the quarterback's recovery time at the lower estimate. However, a hybrid surgery involving the reconstruction of the ligament and an internal brace would lengthen it.
Regardless of the outcome, it is likely the 49ers will want to insulate themselves at the position, adding a veteran to a quarterback room that includes Purdy and third-year signal-caller Trey Lance. Lance is coming off a serious injury himself. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury in September but is expected to be full-go for organized team activities (OTAs) in May.
Who could the 49ers add? In a recent feature for Bally Sports, Michael Silver named a few quarterbacks the team is considering.
"The 49ers — depending upon the outcome of incumbent starter Brock Purdy's elbow surgery, which is scheduled for [Friday] — will be seeking a veteran to pair with 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance," Silver wrote. "Matt Ryan, Jacoby Brissett, and Andy Dalton are among those being considered."
Of course, it's possible Ryan opts to call it a career and enter the broadcast booth.
If Purdy's 2023 season is at risk, Silver expects San Francisco to reach out to Tom Brady, who is set to become a free agent next week, to see if the team can entice the recently retired quarterback to play one more season for his one-time beloved 49ers.
One quarterback the 49ers are unlikely to pursue is Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. The team's salary-cap situation and lack of early draft capital to trade make Rodgers-to-49ers a long shot.
"High-level sources at the Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, two teams who've been mentioned as potential trade options, have told me that making a run at him is highly unlikely," Silver wrote.
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, the former 49ers defensive coordinator, may be more likely to add Rodgers.
"The Jets — who recently hosted a free-agent visit with Derek Carr after he was released by the Raiders last month — have a high level of interest in Rodgers," reports Silver. "With a talented team hamstrung by poor quarterback play and a third-year head coach (Robert Saleh) under pressure to win now, the Jets bringing Rodgers to Florham Park makes a lot of sense."
What of soon-to-be-free-agent Jimmy Garoppolo? The 49ers have made it clear the veteran quarterback will not return in 2023, setting him up to test free agency for the first time in his career. Someone will likely be willing to spend on Garoppolo, who has had issues staying healthy but wins football games when he does play.
"Former Niners starter Jimmy Garoppolo, an unrestricted free agent, is seeking a mid-to-high-level starter's contract, with the Houston Texans regarded as the likeliest destination among a group of interested teams, including the Raiders and Panthers," wrote Silver.
