The San Francisco 49ers are facing a familiar offseason dilemma. While quarterback Brock Purdy’s impressive performance in the second half of the 2022 season seems to have settled the question of who will lead the team, there are other young quarterbacks on the roster. Unfortunately, injuries and Jimmy Garoppolo’s past performances have prevented Trey Lance from making a strong impression on the coaching staff.
Adding to the uncertainty at the quarterback position is Purdy’s UCL injury, which may impact his availability leading up to the 2023 regular season. With these factors in play, the 49ers may need to make some tough decisions in the months ahead.
In addition to the quarterback situation, the 49ers also need to focus on protecting their signal-caller. With four offensive linemen set to become free agents, the team must ensure it retains the key players needed to provide stability on the offensive line. Most notably, Mike McGlinchey is among the players whose status needs to be addressed.
The offensive line is critical to the 49ers’ success and will play a key role in their efforts to return to the NFC Championship Game. As the offseason progresses, the team will need to prioritize both the quarterback position and offensive line to maximize their chances of success in the upcoming season.
Achieving 100% Clarity at Quarterback
Up until Brock Purdy’s injury in the San Francisco 49ers Champion Game, the San Francisco 49ers had a clear understanding of who should lead their team as the starting quarterback in the 2023 season. However, with both Purdy and another young quarterback on the roster recovering from long-term injuries, the team’s clarity has been compromised.
As Jimmy Garoppolo, who is a free agent, is unlikely to be re-signed, the 49ers must establish a decisive answer to the quarterback question before training camp commences.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Purdy’s scheduled surgery has been postponed due to elbow inflammation, although he is expected to be ready for the 2023 season. Provided Purdy makes good progress in his recovery, the 23-year-old should be seriously considered as the team’s starting quarterback based on his impressive performances in the latter stages of the regular season and the playoffs.
It is imperative that the San Francisco 49ers declare Purdy as their starting quarterback to eliminate any uncertainties surrounding the position leading up to training camp. By doing so, the team can focus on their preparations for the upcoming season with a clear understanding of their starting quarterback situation.
Strengthening the Offensive Line
The San Francisco 49ers must prioritize building continuity on their offensive line by re-signing as many of their free agents in the unit as possible.
Among the quartet set to hit the market, Mike McGlinchey is the biggest name and will undoubtedly garner significant interest from multiple suitors. While Orlando Brown is expected to be the top target among free-agent offensive tackles across the NFL, McGlinchey could be a solid acquisition for any team that is unable to secure the services of the Kansas City Chiefs player.
The 49ers should make every effort to retain the 28-year-old as one of the anchors of their offensive line. In addition to McGlinchey, Jake Brendel, Daniel Brunskill, and Colton McKivitz also require new contracts. Brendel and Brunskill are unrestricted free agents, while McKivitz is a restricted free agent. San Francisco can bring back one or two of these players to support McGlinchey and bring some stability to the interior of the line.
The 49ers require continuity more than other teams due to the unique rushing scheme implemented by head coach Kyle Shanahan. Any new acquisitions or draft picks brought in may take longer to adapt to the system than players who have been a part of it in previous seasons.
If San Francisco is unable to re-sign McGlinchey, they must look to acquire one or two prospects with one of their 11 draft picks. If they find a player they like enough, they could combine one or two of their selections from the third round and beyond to move into the back end of the first round and secure a higher-quality player to replace the Notre Dame product.
Strengthening Defensive Depth
The San Francisco 49ers have a talented defense with standout players at every level. However, the team needs to add more depth around them to ensure they can sustain their success.
With Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu, Azeez Al-Shaair, Emmanuel Moseley, and Jason Verrett set to hit free agency, the 49ers have some decisions to make regarding their defensive depth.
While the team may not need to re-sign all of these players, it’s essential that they find suitable replacements. Fortunately, the 49ers have a strong scouting department that has found gems in the draft in recent years, including Fred Warner, Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, Deommodore Lenoir, Elijah Mitchell, and Jauan Jennings.
San Francisco needs to continue this trend by identifying players in the upcoming 2023 draft who fit the strengths and skills that defensive coordinator Vance Wilks wants to see in his players.
By adding more depth to their defense, the 49ers can ensure that they remain competitive in the NFC West and challenge for the top spot in the conference.