The San Francisco 49ers were victims of some unfortunate luck last season. The team was on its third quarterback by the time it reached the NFC Championship Game. Then their poor luck worsened. Both active Niners quarterbacks in that game got injured, including rookie sensation Brock Purdy.
That ended San Francisco's Super Bowl hopes.
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Last season's situation led the 49ers to insulate their quarterback position this offseason. The team had Purdy and its former No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance, returning from injuries. San Francisco added veterans Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen.
Darnold has not seen much success in the NFL. To his credit, he hasn't had a lot of talent around him in previous years. That's different with the 49ers, who own one of the most talented rosters in the league.
Some see Darnold playing in head coach Kyle Shanahan's system as a great fit.
"We felt the same way," general manager John Lynch said Thursday on NFL Network. "We're all products of our experiences, and last year was a terrible experience where we just ran out of quarterbacks. We got injured at that position with Trey first, then Jimmy, then Brock, all the way in the NFC Championship Game. Josh Johnson even went down. And so I think a goal of ours was let's insulate that room with some great depth.
"And Sam was a guy who I think felt the same thing (about playing in Shanahan's system). 'Man, I know I have some talent, have some ability. I've been able to have some success in this league.' It hasn't gone like he's wanted, but this would be a great situation to maximize his talents. And, man, he is a talented [player]. I mean, there's a reason he was drafted so high. You see it out here daily, and it's starting to come. And so we're really excited about Sam."
The 49ers are also excited about Lance's development and improvement. The quarterback is entering his third NFL season, coming off a season-ending ankle injury from last year. He had his best training camp practice—maybe ever—on Monday.
"Trey has made tremendous strides this offseason," Lynch shared. "[We're] really proud of the way he's attacked it. And so that room's really strong. Brandon Allen comes in, and man, that guy's making some plays out here. So we do feel really good about not just Brock, Trey, Sam, Brandon, but the depth that provides us going into this year."