Lance trade highlights 49ers’ trust in Purdy, Darnold

In a whirlwind week for the 49ers' quarterbacks room, Trey Lance's departure signals the club's belief in Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold. As much as the 49ers' brass wanted to see the No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft succeed in the Bay Area, Purdy did enough in his eight starts as a rookie to send Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick. Purdy won eight straight starts after taking over the helm for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 13 of the 2022 NFL season. Coach Kyle Shanahan and the locker room never looked back. Even after rupturing his ulnar collateral ligament in the NFC Championship Game in January, the 49ers vowed Purdy would be starting under center again once healthy. With Lance still on the roster, the 49ers brought in reinforcements during the offseason by adding quarterback Sam Darold to the mix. The 26-year old was drafted as the No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. In 2021 the USC product was traded to the Carolina Panthers where he spent two seasons prior to his arrival in the Bay Area. While Darnold might not have the most successful record as a starter (21-34), he impressed the 49ers' brass enough to win the backup...