The San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback situation has been a topic of much speculation and uncertainty as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL season. With the departure of longtime starter Jimmy Garoppolo, head coach Kyle Shanahan must decide on who will become the new face of the franchise. However, mixed messages from the team’s brass have made the situation unclear.
Brock Purdy Leading the Way
According to sources within the organization, Brock Purdy is currently the “leader in the clubhouse” to become the starting quarterback for the 49ers. The Iowa State product has statistical support for his candidacy as he had a high successful completion rate and was second in Expected Points Added per play during his five regular-season starts. Furthermore, Purdy’s ability to make plays both within and outside of the structure of the offense is a key reason why he is seen as a strong candidate.
Concerns Over Purdy’s Health
Despite Purdy’s impressive performance thus far, there are concerns about his health as he may not recover from his elbow injury in time for training camp. This could potentially hinder his chances of becoming the starting quarterback for the 49ers.
Trey Lance and Sam Darnold Enter Fray
While Purdy appears to be leading in the race for startership, Shanahan has also given opportunities to Trey Lance and Sam Darnold to compete for the job during OTAs and minicamp. Darnold, who signed a one-year deal with the 49ers, will split first-team reps with Lance during offseason workouts.
Criticism of Shanahan’s Decision-making
Shanahan has been criticized for frequently mismanaging and misallocating his efforts at quarterback. The Niners no longer have Garoppolo in the equation and currently have only Lance and Purdy as the lone quarterbacks on the roster. Shanahan’s decision to give Darnold first-team reps could hinder Lance’s development, as the rookie quarterback needs the bulk of practice reps to further his development.
The Impact of Bobby Slowik on Houston Texans’ Draft Decisions
Meanwhile, in Texas, the potential impact of quarterback coach Bobby Slowik is being closely watched by fans and analysts alike. Slowik has a reputation for developing quarterbacks and has the potential to put any quarterback in a position to succeed. The success of the Houston Texans’ offense in the 2023 season will depend heavily on Slowik’s coaching abilities, rather than the specific quarterback they draft.
Potential Quarterbacks for Houston Texans
The Texans’ fans are hoping for a top draft pick like Alabama’s Bryce Young or Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, according to a recent poll. However, some potential concerns with Young include his height (5’10”), as only three quarterbacks who measured below 6 feet at the combine have been drafted since 2006. Other potential quarterbacks the Texans could target include Will Anderson, Tanner McKee, Stetson Bennett, and Clayton Tune.
Bobby Slowik’s Impact
Regardless of who the Texans decide to draft, Slowik’s impact on their decision-making process will be crucial. He has already started developing Davis Mills, who is currently on the Texans’ roster. Slowik’s ability to develop quarterbacks could make all of these concerns irrelevant as he has shown that he can put any quarterback in a position to succeed.
In conclusion, both San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans find themselves in an uncertain quarterback situation with multiple candidates vying for startership. While mixed messages from both organizations and concerns over health and development need to be addressed, both teams have an opportunity to thrive under specialized coaching expertise provided by their respective quarterback coaches.
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