It’s become clear that the 49ers coaching staff wants to see what Brandon Allen can bring to the table.
Through the first three days of training camp, the quarterback has received the similar amount of reps as Trey Lance and Sam Darnold, despite his purported position as QB4 on the depth chart. Beyond Brock Purdy as QB1, it seems like an open competition to be the backup, despite the amount of assets the 49ers poured into drafting Lance.
The Niners may have used third first-rounders and a third-rounder to move up to take Lance No. 3 overall in 2021, but he’s not getting any special treatment. Though he was the starting guy last year, he lasted just five quarters before suffering a season-ending foot/ankle injury.
It might seem like a swift fall from grace for Lance, but he’s staying positive about it.
“Just taking it one day at a time,” Lance said. “Very present-mind focused. Every rep, one day at a time, one meeting at a time. I truly believe everything works out exactly as it’s supposed to. As long as I control what I control, that’s all I can worry about.”
Darnold was also a high draft pick, going No. 23 overall to the New York Jets in 2018, but has failed to live up to his draft status in his five NFL seasons so far. Like Lance, Darnold is saying all the right things about his situation with the 49ers after signing a one-year contract worth up to $4.5 million this offseason. He was beat out for the Carolina Panthers’ starting gig by Baker Mayfield last year, so he is familiar with QB competition.
“You just never know when your number’s gonna be called,” Darnold said. “It’s been good the way that the reps have been going. It’s about taking advantage of those reps and taking advantage of those opportunities when it comes.”
Even though Purdy was just cleared for practice after undergoing offseason elbow surgery, Darnold understands his place in the pecking order.
“I don’t think he lost a game last year,” Darnold said of Purdy. “He went to the NFC Championship and who knows what could have happened if he didn’t get hurt. I get it.”
After four quarterbacks got injured last year – Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, Purdy and Josh Johnson – the 49ers know that depth under center is crucial.
While Lance and Darnold have been splitting QB2 reps with Purdy back in the mix, Allen has been a fixture with the third-team offense. Lance and Darnold both said they get advised about the snap counts shortly before each practice, but don’t seem to have an issue with the division of reps so far.
Despite his limited experience (eight games, four starts), the 23-year-old Lance said he’s improved drastically since his rookie season.
“Night and day,” Lance said. “All the ways. The game’s slowed down a lot. Just continue to get better, though.”
Much has been made about Lance’s mechanics and quicker release, but he said it’s actually his footwork that has improved the most, which has helped ease soreness on his throwing arm. Lance also said he benefited from working with two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes this offseason.
“Just awesome to be around a guy like that,” Lance said. “He’s probably doing it at the highest level there is. He’s playing at a very high level – multiple Super Bowls, multiple big games – so just being able to pick his brain about everything, in-season, offseason, everything like that.”
