49ers add veteran quarterback Brandon Allen in free agency
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the possibility of adding a fourth quarterback back in March and, at the time, it certainly sounded like a plausible part of the team's plans. "I'm good with four, but that fourth guy doesn't get reps," Shanahan said at the Annual League Meetings. "We will […]
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the possibility of adding a fourth quarterback back in March and, at the time, it certainly sounded like a plausible part of the team's plans.
"I'm good with four, but that fourth guy doesn't get reps," Shanahan said at the Annual League Meetings. "We will take him, under 90 [the offseason 90-man roster], but we want three guys who we know we're trying to play with…
"…I'm sure we'll get another quarterback in our building, especially with Brock [Purdy] probably not being able to go at the start of training camp, I'm guessing. So I'm sure we'll get a guy, at least a free agent, but you never know how that draft goes."
Shanahan then reiterated his stance after the 2023 NFL Draft and made it clear the team wanted to add a fourth QB, but he wasn't exactly sure when it would happen.
“Hopefully we’ll get Brock back soon,” said Shanahan. “Regardless, we’d love a fourth guy here. You never know how much we end up doing in the OTAs sessions, but it has been good having two guys out there throwing. They have been on their own.
“Hopefully when it’s said and done, we’ll have a fourth guy.”
Well, the mystery was solved Wednesday morning when NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the 49ers signed former Cincinnati Bengals backup quarterback -and mentor to Joe Burrow: Brandon Allen.
It'll be interesting to see how Allen's time plays out in San Fran. Sure, there will only be three quarterbacks throwing due to Brock Purdy's recovery from UCL surgery. Shanahan did say, however, that he expects Trey Lance and Sam Darnold to split reps, so, that could leave Allen looking in from the outside
"I expect them both to get first-team reps," said Shanahan. "But I'd like to see them in Phase I and I want to see how they come in and then getting on the field with them in Phase II and OTAs. I expect them to both work with the first team. But we'll see how that goes."
It's probably safe to say Allen isn't going to come in and shake things up, but it's helpful to balance out the QB room, which now has two younger players in Purdy and Lance and two veterans in Allen and Darnold. The 49ers are taking the smart approach and it should help them in the long run by giving them capable bodies in case disaster strikes again. No matter how slim the chances of that happening may be.
