"You think back at other times in history when coaches have had to make quarterback decisions," King told NBC Sports Bay Area, "and when I think about it, and I think about this quarterback decision, I just don't think it's particularly difficult."
Purdy took over for Jimmy Garoppolo, who is slated to become a free agent on March 15 and is unlikely to return. Garoppolo took over for Trey Lance, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in September.
Lance expects to be healthy in time for organized team activities (OTAs) in May, making him the healthiest 49ers quarterback under contract. Purdy is expected to miss about six months once he undergoes surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury sustained in the NFC Championship Game.
Many have speculated that Purdy's injury situation is a massive opportunity for Lance. The third-year quarterback will be uncontested for the entire offseason and will have a chance to assert himself as the frontrunner for the starting job in 2023. It was Lance's job heading into this past season until his injury.
"I think, even though there's a shorter window, or a shorter resume, I guess," King continued, "to look at in this particular case, I think the way I look at it is the difference is that Trey Lance doesn't have any resume. He doesn't even have the eight games that Brock Purdy has.
"And so I realize it's unfortunate for Trey Lance, and it's just the weirdest quarterback situation. I've never seen, in a six- or seven-year period, a team hopscotch from one quarterback to another, seemingly having it solved so many times, and it still isn't solved. But if I were them, I'd play Purdy."
King calls Shanahan a pretty "cold-blooded guy," meaning he won't make a sentimental decision. Instead, he'll go with whoever he feels can best run his offense. King believes that will be Purdy, despite the significant investment the 49ers made in Lance.
"I think Kyle understands that you can't always make the decision that will be the most popular, even in your own locker room," King said. "Because I would imagine there's probably a bunch of guys who think the Trey Lance should play, that he's the one who had the freak injury and a terrible injury, and [the 49ers should] give him another shot.
"But Kyle watched the last eight games of the season, and I think, just my gut feeling, and again, I have not talked to him, but I'd just be surprised if Purdy's not the guy."
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