SANTA CLARA — Kyle Shanahan has his own ideas and may have already made up his mind.
That was the case a year ago when the 49ers’ coach named Sam Darnold as his backup quarterback over Trey Lance two days before they played their final exhibition game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But there were no clues after Sunday night’s win over the Saints as to whether Brandon Allen or Joshua Dobbs would be the choice to be next man up on Sept. 9 when the 49ers host the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
“They both did well with the reps they were given,” Shanahan said. “Dobbs got to play a little bit more and I thought he did a real good job leading on some of those drives. When Brandon came in, he did the same. It was very similar to last week. The games have been tight, the practices have been tight. It’s a good problem we have right now.”
It’s conceivable both will be 49ers — one as the backup, the other either on the 53-man roster or the practice squad. After their Lance-Jimmy Garoppolo-Purdy experience with quarterback roulette in 2022 — which ended with Purdy’s shredded elbow in the NFC title game — few teams understand better how quickly things can change at the most important position in professional sports.
Purdy played just three series Sunday with what was mostly a second-string unit and completed 2 of 6 passes for 11 yards, absorbing hits three times in the process. Shanahan said the plan is to start Purdy Friday night against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, although it will again probably be a cameo role.
Shanahan gave no indication of the rotation in Las Vegas following Purdy.
Most regular practice observers from outside the organization (OK, media members) had Allen with a slight lead based on practice performance. Allen’s comfort level with the system showed up early and he’s at ease with the Shanahan offense and where the ball is to be distributed on a given play.
Dobbs was shaky at first in camp, but came on both in command and decision-making in terms of when to use his legs and be creative when plays break down. He took over after Purdy departed against the Saints, going 12 of 21 for 133 yards including a 38-yard strike to rookie Jacob Cowing. He led the 49ers in rushing with 25 yards on three carries including a 1-yard run with one second left in the first half.
Brandon Allen with the fake
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“I think it showed in my play just how comfortable I was,” Dobbs said. ” It felt good being able to distribute the ball and make plays with my legs when they presented themselves. I thought the young guys around me did a great job of stepping up.”
In the second half, Allen was 7 of 10 for 36 yards. His lone regret was missing Cameron Latu on a pass on the right sideline, a play that preceded a missed 51-yard field goal attempt by Jake Moody.
“I would’ve loved to hit that last throw,” Allen said. “But other than that I thought we were clean offensively pretty much the whole game. Not quite the fireworks, but I thought it was pretty efficient football.”
The performances of Dobbs and Allen underscored their perceived strengths. Dobbs is a better athlete, more liable to make something out of nothing when plays break down. There were none of the turnovers that have plagued him at previous stops.
Allen is more likely to execute the offense as it’s drawn up. Although he’s no Dobbs in terms of mobility, Allen did a neat “now you see me, now you don’t” move to escape Saints edge rusher Payton Turner and complete a 5-yard pass to Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Shanahan has done most of his work with quarterbacks more along the lines of Allen, who execute the offense as planned, minimize turnovers and operate as point guards. He loved Kirk Cousins in Washington and with the 49ers won with the often-robotic Garoppolo.
Shanahan was intrigued enough by Lance to go outside his comfort zone and seemed willing to allow him to develop as a passer with athleticism, but was skeptical enough to talk Garoppolo into coming back as a backup. When Lance and Garoppolo both went down, Purdy became that point guard, although last season he showed more creativity outside the pocket.
Dobbs did a little of both against New Orleans, executing some plays as planned and then going outside the box without being so daring he risked a turnover.
“You have to be willing to do it, but it’s not something you would major in with him,” Shanahan said.
The 49ers paid Dobbs a guaranteed $2.25 million, an indication would be the favorite going in. Of course, they also paid Nate Sudfeld $2 million to be a backup for Lance and wound up cutting him in favor of Purdy.
Dobbs looked good enough that he could be attractive to other teams through trade or waivers. If Allen wins the backup job and Dobbs were to be waived in hopes of getting him on the practice squad, another team could swoop in and sign him to their roster.
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Allen, on the other hand, if deemed No. 3, would more likely clear waivers and remain on the 49ers practice squad.
If either player winds up elsewhere, that opens up a potential practice squad spot for Tanner Mordecai, who was 4 of 6 for 44 yards in his brief appearance against New Orleans.
“I thought he did a good job,” Shanahan said. “He got a couple chances with some throws. He ran the huddle very well. He got us in and out. Wish he would have gotten a little bit more, but did good with what we gave him.”
