Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy is getting ready to lead his San Francisco 49ers through the playoffs. The first obstacle is the Seattle Seahawks. The two teams will clash this afternoon, with the winner advancing to the Divisional Round.
Purdy is starting because the 49ers lost two quarterbacks to injuries this season. Trey Lance went down in Week 2 to an ankle injury, while Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot in Week 13. However, Purdy and the 49ers kept winning, finishing the season as NFC West champions and riding a 10-game win streak.
Ian Rapoport, speaking with Rich Eisen on NFL Network's NFL GameDay, looked forward to the offseason and San Francisco's quarterback options for next season. The NFL insider broke down two options for the Niners, with the first being holding onto Purdy and Lance.
"Literally do nothing," Rapoport said. "Let Jimmy Garoppolo go to free agency, which I would say is probably more likely anyway. Just roll with Brock Purdy. Have Trey Lance stay there. He's not going anywhere. And then those two compete in training camp."
Another option would be to add a veteran quarterback like Tom Brady.
"Of course, Brady is with the Bucs now, is a free agent after this year," Rapoport said. "Still hasn't decided if he's going to play. I'd say there's at least a decent chance of that. We know that he has an affinity for his former hometown. We know he has an affinity for the 49ers."
If you thought last season's 49ers quarterback drama was maddening, the upcoming offseason might be more of the same if the team allows a quarterback battle between Lance and Purdy. Of course, throwing in the possibility of adding someone like Brady will just complicate the situation.
Rapoport added, "It's going to be fascinating, Rich, to see what they end up doing after this playoffs."
