Brock Purdy is QB1 on the first "unofficial" depth chart of the season, released today by the San Francisco 49ers. No surprise there. It's unofficial because none of the coaches had a part in putting it together. Nor do they care what it looks like. Instead, the depth chart is a best guess assembled by the 49ers Communications staff.
You can find the depth chart below.
#49ers release first "unofficial" depth chart of preseason. It is put together by the team's PR staff, not the coaches. #FTTB pic.twitter.com/afosuezvR2
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) August 8, 2023
So what is the best guess for the QB2 spot? That would be former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance ... or former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold. Yes, either one. There is literally an "or" between the two names, with Brandon Allen taking up the far rear spot.
The 49ers Communications staff is offering no hints about the QB2 preference. For now, how the quarterback depth chart is laid out emphasizes this year's biggest offseason storyline.
Lance and Darnold will have an opportunity to impress their coaches on Sunday when the 49ers open their exhibition schedule on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders. Purdy is not expected to play because the two teams will hold joint practices together on Thursday and Friday.
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"Usually, when we go scrimmage against guys, I rarely play our starters (in the game)," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week. "That's usually my plan going into it because I'm a little more into the practices than the games. But I've changed my mind a couple of times, too, based off how those practices go. Usually, that's the plan, but we'll see how these practices go."
It will be interesting to see which quarterback heads onto the field first against the Raiders defense. Will it be Lance, the quarterback that cost the 49ers a haul of draft capital to acquire, or Darnold, the veteran free agent acquisition with 55 games of starting experience?
Drake Jackson and Clelin Ferrell are listed as the starting defensive ends, with Nick Bosa still holding out for a new contract.
While Jake Moody, a third-round pick, is the frontrunner to be the 49ers' kicker in 2023, there is a second "or" on the depth chart between his name and Zane Gonzalez's.