Kyle Shanahan is either flexing or in denial about 49ers’ QB room

Kyle Shanahan thinks the world of his San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback room in mid-May.

Kyle Shanahan infamously said he likes Five Guys around 3, so I totally trust his assessment of the San Francisco 49ers‘ quarterback room, 100 percent.

While there is no MVP Matt Ryan to be found here, or massive Super Bowl leads to be blown, I can understand why Shanahan thinks highly of his Bay Area quarterbacking hydra of Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold and Trey Lance. However, upon further inspection, it is like that meme of the three dragon heads where two are super serious and one looks goofy, but in fact, they all look kind of goofy…

Here is what Shanahan told David Lombardi of The Athletic about how he feels about Five Guys around 3 his 49ers quarterback room.

“I do believe we have three quarterbacks talent-wise who are all capable of being franchise-like quarterbacks … Brock’s done that in his eight. And we have two other guys on our roster who we strongly believe can do that also.”

 

The only quarterback I trust in any capacity is Purdy, but he is dealing with a major injury to his throwing hand. While Lance could be something, he is unproven and had that one great year at North Dakota State before COVID. As for Darnold, I like the fact his grandfather Dick Hammer used to be The Marlboro Man. Now, he’s just seeing ghosts, getting mono and playing reckless football.

Although I do trust Shanahan (against my better judgment) to get the most out of his quarterbacks, San Francisco will likely be at a decided disadvantage come playoff time in the NFC.

Kyle Shanahan believes in his San Francisco 49ers QB room more than he should

For as much as I would love to buy into what Shanahan is saying about his quarterbacks, can you honestly tell me than any combination of the three of them will be better than Jimmy Garoppolo? He may have gotten hurt all the time, but he was a stud, threw an accurate football and was dashingly handsome. We call that the holy triumvirate of awesomeness, or just the total package.

Of the three, Purdy is the one I trust to run the offense the most. At this point in his recovery, he can hand the ball off a bunch, but it remains to be seen if his quick release will return once he works his way back from his devastating elbow injury. Lance can really run and throw, but he too was hurt last season. Also, I continue to have my doubts about his level of comp while in college…

As for Darnold, he is not a franchise quarterback, mostly because I have eyes. He was the best thing to happen to Clay Helton USC Trojans football, but the New York Jets moved off him very quickly, as did the Carolina Panthers. Those weren’t great teams, but aren’t franchise quarterbacks supposed to make up the difference? They are supposed to be the deodorant, but Darnold stinks!

While I would anticipate for the 49ers to be among the seven best teams in the NFC again, I kind of like the Seattle Seahawks to overtake them and win the division. I think in terms of team culture and the rest of the roster from No. 2 on down, San Francisco has a helluva team and a fantastic operation. However, when it comes to winning time, they will be at a quarterbacking disadvantage.

I hope it works out for them, but at least you can go to Five Guys around 3 for an expensive burger.