San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently announced that Brandon Allen will serve as the team’s backup quarterback, a decision that came after a competitive training camp. Allen edged out Joshua Dobbs for the position, despite Dobbs showing impressive performances during the preseason. Shanahan emphasized that familiarity with the team’s system played a crucial role in his decision.
“You have to make a choice,” Shanahan stated during a media session. “Typically, I prefer it to be clear-cut and let it unfold naturally. Brandon had the advantage of familiarity, and I felt he executed better in practice.”
Performance and Familiarity
Brandon Allen, who served as the team’s No. 3 quarterback last year, has a longer history with the 49ers compared to Dobbs, who joined the team this offseason on a one-year contract. While Dobbs performed well in preseason games, Shanahan noted that Allen’s consistent execution in practice gave him the edge.
“I believed Josh significantly narrowed the gap during the games, and I genuinely would have appreciated another week to make a decision,” Shanahan remarked. “However, we had to solidify our choice since the third quarterback is only utilized in emergencies.”
Playing Style Considerations
Another factor influencing the decision of Kyle Shanahan was the similarity in playing styles between Brandon Allen and the starting quarterback, Brock Purdy. Shanahan pointed out that having a backup whose style mirrors that of the starter can be advantageous in case of an emergency.
“Brandon’s playing style mirrors Brock’s a bit more, which influenced our decision,” Shanahan concluded. “This wasn’t a reflection on Josh; it was indeed a challenging choice, and we simply had to reach one.”
Final Thoughts
As the 49ers prepare for the upcoming season, the hope is that starter Brock Purdy remains healthy, minimizing the need for a backup. However, with Allen now positioned as the primary backup, the 49ers have a reliable option should any issues arise. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this decision plays out as the 49ers aim for another successful season.
