Training camp is right around the corner. San Francisco 49ers rookies reported to the team facilities this week to participate in strength and conditioning. Veterans will join them next week.
Trey Lance and Sam Darnold will get most of the quarterback practice reps once players hit the field. Last year's rookie sensation, Brock Purdy, is still recovering from offseason surgery to repair his right elbow's torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). However, the team remains hopeful that he'll be able to return to the practice field sometime before the end of training camp.
While many keep a watchful eye on the uncertain quarterback situation in Santa Clara, the 49ers' head coach is excited about the possibilities.
"We've got three guys who can play, and there's only one spot, and we have a good team," Shanahan told NFL Network's Steve Wyche. "So I see it as a cool situation. And last year, we had some unknown."
The coach refers to Lance entering last season as the starting quarterback. He had only two starts during his rookie 2021 campaign, and Shanahan had seemingly committed to the former No. 3 overall pick.
"We believed in Trey, but he hadn't gone out and done it yet," Shanahan said. "But we believed in him. We got to see him for a year and a half, and what he could do, and he lost that opportunity, which happens in football."
Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2. That, and an injury to Jimmy Garoppolo, created an opportunity for Purdy, who took advantage. The gutsy and unflappable rookie helped guide the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game before suffering his injury.
"And we had another guy come in, very similar to Trey, but less reps and stuff," Shanahan said. "And Brock got that opportunity. So now we're in this situation, and it's just—I get how everyone wants something set in stone, but it's not set in stone. But I love the options, and I love the experience that Brock got.
"I love that Trey has gotten some, too. And I love the ability that we have in the room. And besides those three, I love our team around them, so let's let it play out."
Fans are also eager to see how the quarterback situation plays out. Will Purdy fully recover from his surgery? Could Lance quiet his critics? Will Darnold overtake Lance on the depth chart? Whoever ends up being the Week 1 starter, that quarterback will have one of the league's best rosters to lean on.