John Lynch made one thing very clear on Monday morning during the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona. The San Francisco 49ers like their current quarterback room, comprised of Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold.
Lynch clarified one more thing: If Purdy were completely healthy and ready to play come Week 1, he would be the starter. Of course, there is so much uncertainty surrounding Purdy's health.
On March 10, the quarterback underwent surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow he suffered in the NFC Championship Game. His recovery is expected to go into September. Although, Lynch and the 49ers are hopeful the second-year player could be ready sooner.
As Purdy recovers, Lance and Darnold will get most of the snaps this offseason. Lance was the No. 3 overall pick in 2021. Purdy was the last overall pick—No. 262—in 2022. So with Purdy seemingly leaping past Lance on the depth chart, would the 49ers consider training Lance?
"We like Trey on our team right now," Lynch responded. "We always joke, Kyle and I, we'd trade each other if someone gave us a good enough deal, so we listen to anything. But we like Trey on our team, and we're very excited about the way he's progressing, about his opportunity. I think he's champing at the bit to get out there, and get back under center, and be healthy again."
After starting only four games during his first two NFL seasons, Lance is eager to prove himself. He entered last season as the 49ers' starting quarterback but went down with a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2. Jimmy Garoppolo stepped in until the veteran, now with the Las Vegas Raiders, suffered a broken foot during Week 13.
Purdy came in and led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game before suffering his injury.
"We're still very excited about Trey," Lynch insisted, "but I think the way Brock played, he probably has earned that right to be the guy. But it's certainly a competition; we will always have that. And again, these are decisions Kyle makes. But I know in our discussions, this is the way we're talking."