Steelers may have a change in plans following latest QB update
The Pittsburgh Steelers have known for multiple weeks that they will open the season against the San Francisco 49ers. What's been unclear, however, is who they would be facing at opposing quarterback. But following some reporting and OTA press conferences, it seems they may have their answer. The 49ers are the site of QB controversy […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have known for multiple weeks that they will open the season against the San Francisco 49ers.
What's been unclear, however, is who they would be facing at opposing quarterback.
But following some reporting and OTA press conferences, it seems they may have their answer.
The 49ers are the site of QB controversy galore. They think they have a suitable starter in Brock Purdy, but he's coming off an injury to his throwing arm that until tested in live action, we won't know about.
Then there's Trey Lance. The former top-three pick that should be starting, but has played less than 500 snaps since his time back in high school due to inexperience and injury.
And finally, the 49ers went out and signed another former top-five pick in Sam Darnold who by all remarks is turning heads, even being lauded as "The most talented thrower of the football the 49ers have ever had" by NBC Sports Bay Area columnist Matt Maiocco."
Despite all that, it's long been thought that if healthy, this is Brock Purdy's job to lose, with the latest details only backing up that notion, first reported by Albert Breer in his latest edition of MMQB on Sports Illustrated:
So far, so good on Brock Purdy. The 49ers’ expected starting quarterback should, well, continue to be expected to start for the team, reported Breer. He’s on a very controlled throwing program now, and this week’s minicamp in Santa Clara should provide more answers. As it stands? Purdy is throwing without pain, and he’s passed every test the Niners have thrown at him.
Breer's reporting was then further back by the man that probably knows best, head coach of the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan:
“He’s right on pace,” Shanahan said, via NBCSportsBayArea.com. “I think he throws three times a week. I do not sit and watch those. It’s part of his process of getting back and he’s continuing right on the track he’s always been on — no setbacks and it’s been very good so far.”
So if the Steelers were hoping, rather planning, for Sam Darnold or Trey Lance to lead the team, it seems that may be going out the window. Purdy still has a long way back from his UCL surgery, an injury, and an operation that may have ended a quarterbacks career as recent as a decade ago, but all signs point in the right direction.
With kickoff still nearly three months away, it's not as if this throws a wrench in things, but perhaps it puts more on the Steelers' plate, as the mystery surrounding the situation in the Bay Area sorts itself out.
Featured image via:© Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
