With backup 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold likely to return to free agency in the hopes of competing for a starting job somewhere
after a season in the 49ers quarterback room, a spot should open up for a new San Francisco second-stringer. And it may allow the
49ers to re-sign veteran backup Nate Sudfeld, whom they had hoped to keep.
Sudfeld spent the last two seasons with the Lions, having nearly missed out on a berth with the 49ers in 2021. He did not participate last season due to a ruptured ACL.
That offseason, the 49ers appeared to be preparing to part ways with Jimmy Garoppolo, with Trey Lance as the starter and Sudfeld as
the backup. However, the franchise modified Garoppolo’s deal, and Purdy outperformed Sudfeld, leading the 49ers to dismiss him at
the conclusion of camp.
According to USA Today’s Niners Wire website, now would be a good moment to bring Sudfeld back.
It’s evident that head coach Kyle Shanahan loves him, and with no other quarterbacks on the roster, the 49ers may go back to
Sudfeld.”
Shanahan, too, may bring back Brandon Allen, the team’s third-string quarterback. He is 31, but he clearly understands the system
and has some experience (9 career starts).
The 49ers would prefer to re-sign Darnold, but that is unlikely. Darnold signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract in March with the
expectation of starting the season as Purdy recovered from an elbow injury sustained in last year’s NFC Championship.
However, Darnold is 26 years old and wants to be a starter in the NFL. He had one shot at the position this season, when the 49ers
rested Purdy in Week 18 against the Rams. In the 49ers’ 21-20 loss to the Rams, he finished with 189 yards passing, 16 completions on
26 attempts, and a touchdown, giving him a 96.5 quarterback rating.
