Following the San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl disappointment, coach Nick Sirianni swiftly took action by parting ways with their defensive coordinator, paving the way for Nick Sorensen’s promotion. This restructuring trend continued with the team’s approach to the upcoming season, emphasizing changes to their roster.
As the legal tampering period kicked off, the 49ers made their initial free agency move, focusing on the quarterback room. In this regard, they felt motivated to bring Brandon Allen back for another stint in San Francisco, while Brock Purdy is making way back to the gridiron after his injury.
The 49ers are re-signing QB Brandon Allen
The San Francisco 49ers have made a recent move by re-signing quarterback Brandon Allen, as reported by The NFL Network.
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: The #49ers are re-signing QB Brandon Allen, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/oE64lFZwXh
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 11, 2024
The 31-year-old joined the 49ers in May of last year and served as the team’s third quarterback throughout the 2023 season. He did not make an appearance in any regular-season games despite his presence.
He operated behind Sam Darnold, who is now a free agent. With Allen’s re-signing, it seems unlikely that the 49ers will keep Darnold. As Darnold’s return appears unlikely, teams such as the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, or New England Patriots might consider him a bridge player, especially if they opt to draft a young quarterback in the upcoming April draft.
Brandon Allen’s NFL journey began in 2016, when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him as a sixth-round pick from Arkansas. Since then, he has played in 15 games, making nine starts.
Notably, he started three games for the Broncos in 2019, five games for the Bengals in 2020, and an additional game for Cincinnati in 2021. Over his career, he has completed 57 percent of his passes, accumulating 1,611 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. His most recent game appearance was with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. In Cincinnati, he completed all three of his pass attempts for a total of 22 yards.
How will the 49ers re-signing Brandon Allen affect Brock Purdy?
The San Francisco 49ers’ decision to re-sign Brandon Allen to a one-year contract has solidified their quarterback depth chart, providing them with a familiar backup behind their main starter, Brock Purdy. While Allen may potentially move up the depth chart from the emergency No. 3 role, his re-signing is unlikely to have a significant impact on Purdy’s position as the team’s primary quarterback.
![Brandon Allen](https://www.sportsknot.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/rawImage-1-1024x683.jpg)
Purdy remains firmly in the QB1 position, especially considering his Pro Bowl status and restored health. The 49ers no longer need to hedge their bets at the QB room, particularly after Purdy’s impressive display in the last season. His performance solidified his position as a key player for the 49ers and reinforced the team’s trust in him as their starting quarterback.
The former Iowa state quarterback showcased his prowess by accumulating 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions during the previous season. He played a pivotal role in leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl, marking a heroic journey reminiscent of the team’s 2019 campaign.
Nevertheless, the outcome was not in their favor, as they succumbed to the “Kirk Cousins Curse,” while letting the Kansas City Chiefs etch their name in history.