49ers Rumors: Multiple Teams Think Sam Darnold Will Play 'Meaningful Snaps' in SF

Amid speculation about Trey Lance's future with the organization, there's a feeling from some teams around the NFL that Sam Darnold could play a key role for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season.

Appearing on SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said he's talked to multiple teams that "believe Darnold will play meaningful snaps, even as early as Week 1 for San Francisco because of Brock Purdy's injury and Trey Lance's tenuous stance with the team right now."

Darnold signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the 49ers in free agency. It was reasonable to think they were just trying to add more quarterback depth with Purdy recovering from elbow surgery, but Lance's status within the organization has never been made clear.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week several teams have made inquiries to the 49ers about a potential trade for Lance, but no deal is imminent because San Francisco wants to make sure Purdy's rehab goes smoothly.

Per Jordan Schultz of The Score, one general manager from a team not in the quarterback market called it "the worst-kept secret" the 49ers were taking calls on Lance but said it would likely "take a pretty strong offer" for the team to deal the 22-year-old quarterback.

49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters in March that Purdy "earned the right" to be the starter based on how he played after being inserted as the starter late last season following an injury to Jimmy Garoppolo.

"I'll let Kyle (Shanahan) make those kinds of decisions but I know when we talk, Brock has probably earned that right to be the guy. If we were to line up," Lynch added, "he'd probably take that first snap."

Purdy's status for the start of the regular season is uncertain at this point. He underwent elbow surgery on March 10 after suffering a torn UCL in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The expectation is Purdy will be able to start a throwing program in three months with the possibility of being back at full strength in six months.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters at the NFL league meetings in March he can't put a definite timeline on Purdy's return right now: "He could be ready for camp (in late July) or not, and we possibly say, 'Hey, it's going a little slow, it might be Week 1 or as late as Week 4,' but it's all just estimations. We'll see what happens."

It would seem strange for the 49ers to completely give up on Lance before he's had a chance to really succeed or fail in the NFL. He only played five quarters over two games before suffering a fibula fracture and ligament disruption in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks that kept him out for the entire 2022 season.

Lance made two starts as a rookie in 2021 when Jimmy Garoppolo was out with injuries. He played well in a Week 16 win over the Houston Texans, finishing 16-of-23 for 249 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

San Francisco traded three first-round draft picks to the Miami Dolphins to acquire the No. 3 pick and select Lance in the 2021 NFL draft.

Darnold, the No. 3 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, has started 55 games in his career. The 25-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He went 4-2 with 1,143 passing yards, seven touchdowns and a 58.6 completion percentage last season.