2023 NFL quarterback analysis: San Francisco 49ers

Current starter: Brock Purdy | Current backups: Josh Johnson, Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance

State of the position: Tom Brady, part two? At the start of the season, Purdy was best known as "Mr. Irrelevant" -- the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. By the end of the regular season, some considered him the next Brady.

In the offseason, Lance was named the starter, but he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken ankle in Week 2. 

Garoppolo picked up where he left off in 2021, posting a 103 passer rating, a 67.2 completion percentage, and a 7-3 record as a starter. But his season ended with a foot injury, and Purdy took over in Week 13.

Since he became a starter, Purdy has led the league in passing TDs (13), was second in yards per attempt (8.1), and fifth in QBR (65.5). He led the 49ers to the No. 2 overall seed in the playoffs and won his first-round playoff game against Seattle.

NBC Sports Bay Area’s Donte Whitner wrote Purdy is as good as any QB in the playoffs.

Key stat: Counting the playoff win, Purdy is 6-0 as a starter.

2023 QB forecast: What the 49ers do at QB will be among the biggest offseason headlines. 

Garoppolo, a pending free agent, is likely to move on, leaving Purdy and Lance to battle for the starting job.

Purdy has a Cinderella story behind him to go with his great performance. Lance is a former No. 3 overall pick whom the Niners have invested significant time and resources into developing. 

Could Lance end up with the Titans? After former 49ers executive Ran Carthon was named Tennessee GM, he posted this on Instagram.