Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen are free agents, opening the door for somebody to back up Brock Purdy
The San Francisco 49ers will have their eyes on a quarterback to back up Brock Purdy this offseason. Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen are free agents, so it’s likely the team will need to sign two quarterbacks if those two walk once free agency begins.
Ideally, the 49ers bring in experience and somebody who has played through various situations. Finding the correct backup can be tricky. In the Niners’ case, they’ve had somewhat of a revolving door at QB2. But if we’ve learned anything, it’s a coveted position where the organization might have to spend more than they’re willing to, given the necessity for the 49ers to play a backup at key junctures of the season during the Kyle Shanahan tenure.
Dobbs made $2.25 million in 2024, while Allen made $2.02 million. What will the Niners spend on a backup this offseason? They’ll have plenty of options.
The list of available free-agent quarterbacks this offseason is full of recognizable names. Joe Flacco, who is 40-years-old, has been linked to San Francisco. The 49ers hosted Flacco during free agency in 2021 when they viewed him as a potential backup for Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 2021 quarterback class is available. Trey Lance, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, and Justin Fields will all be unrestricted free agents, but what could they bring to the table that would benefit Purdy? Not much.
Wild cards such as Jameis Winston and Drew Lock don’t seem like the type of quarterbacks Shanahan would pursue. After watching Allen and Dobbs, decision-making could be at the top of the 49ers’ list. Veterans Marcus Mariota, Jacob Brissett, and Andy Dalton have all played in the NFL and brought something different to a quarterback’s room.
Sam Darnold redux
After his release, a report surfaced that the 49ers “could be very serious” about signing Daniel Jones.
The interest surrounding Danny Dimes was connected to Purdy’s shoulder injury at the time. Jones doesn’t have a reputation for being aggressive, but he’s a former No. 6 overall pick. Jones will continue to get looks in the league due to his draft status. That’s something the Niners should take advantage of.
The 49ers benefitted from Sam Darnold in a similar way two seasons ago. In 2023, Darnold threw 46 passes. San Francisco was slated to receive a fourth-round compensatory pick. Darnold fell into the perfect situation after the Minnesota Vikings‘ suffered a quarterback injury. Still, the organization signing Jones and flipping him for even a fifth-round pick would be considered a win.
Jones would need to be comfortable taking a backseat to Purdy and understand that the 49ers are Brock’s team. We don’t know Jones’s headspace, but he could very well feel like he’s still a starting quarterback in this league. Whether that attitude could impact the former New York Giants quarterback’s wallet is up for debate, but it would rule out Jones as a potential free agent.
Thankfully, Jones’s valuation is $1.125 million. Given his position, he’ll have suitors, but the 49ers have tangible evidence they can use after Darnold’s success. It shouldn’t be a difficult sell if Jones is willing to play the backup role.
Would you be interested in Jones as a backup?