Insider explains prediction for 49ers' Week 1 starting QB at Steelers

San Francisco 49ers insider Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area further explained why he believes quarterback Brock Purdy will be the team's Week 1 starter in September. 

Maiocco mentioned that Purdy resumed throwing a regulation NFL football last week after the 2022 rookie sensation underwent surgery on March 10 to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow he suffered in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 29. 

"If his road to a full recovery stays true to the 12-week timeframe, he would receive full medical clearance to play football around Aug. 21 — or 20 days before the start of the 2023 NFL season," Maiocco continued about Purdy. "There virtually will be no way one of the other quarterbacks will be able to take the job away from Purdy based solely on practices. Why? Because Purdy already has shown in games what he brings to the team." 

Maiocco initially said last week he thought Purdy should be good to go for the Week 1 encounter at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10 after general manager John Lynch repeated that the 23-year-old remains the "leader in the clubhouse" to start over both 2021 first-round draft pick Trey Lance and free-agency signing Sam Darnold. 

On Monday, Maiocco pointed out that Purdy completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,877 yards with 16 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 111.4 passer rating (playoffs included) after the final pick of the 2022 draft replaced an injured Jimmy Garoppolo in December. 

While Maiocco said that the 49ers "like Lance and Darnold on their roster," the insider insisted the starting job is Purdy's to reclaim, not lose, once the second-year pro is cleared to face live defenses. 

Lance has little value as a tradeable asset before the summer while his future with the 49ers remains up in the air with Purdy still at least a couple of months away from resuming normal football-related activities. 

The 49ers certainly have nothing to lose in holding onto Lance after three of their quarterbacks suffered season-ending injuries from September 2022 through the playoffs, but they'll eventually have to make a significant call regarding his future beyond the upcoming campaign.