49ers' Kyle Shanahan addresses Brock Purdy return, quarterback situation: 'We'll see what happens'

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The number of injuries the San Francisco 49ers suffered at the quarterback position last season has complicated the situation going into the offseason, but head coach Kyle Shanahan remains optimistic about Brock Purdy’s recovery, despite offering an unclear timeline on the rookie's potential return date. 

During the league’s annual meeting in Arizona on Tuesday, Shanahan addressed the team’s quarterback situation following injuries to last year’s starter Trey Lance and most recently to Purdy in the NFC Championship game. 

Quarterback Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers during the Bears game at Soldier Field on Sept. 11, 2022, in Chicago. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

"Brock played eight games and won all of them and played at an extremely high level. And we’re very excited to have that level of a player as our quarterback," Shanahan said. "Now we believe Trey could be that, we would’ve done it last year if he stayed healthy. The good thing for him is, with Brock being hurt, he had the opportunity to try and regain that and everything."

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Shanahan expressed that Lance was ready to take over as the 49ers starting quarterback last season, but after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2, Jimmy Garoppolo would take over. 

Another injury would give way to Purdy’s debut and, as a result, create competition for the 2023 season. 

"We’re going to start whoever gives us the best chance to win," Shanahan said, adding newly signed quarterback Sam Darnold into the mix.  

Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the NFC