The San Francisco 49ers added Brandon Allen to their quarterback room ahead of training camp, with the veteran set to square off against Brock Purdy, Trey Lance and Sam Darnold
Brandon Allen assisted Joe Burrow for three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals between 2020 and 2022(
The San Francisco 49ers have signed Brandon Allen as the NFC West franchise adds another quarterback to their growing options at center for 2023.
On Wednesday, veteran quarterback Allen put his pen to paper in Santa Clara, ending his three-year run as a replacement for Joe Burrow with the Cincinnati Bengals, who became the fourth signal caller on the books. Selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Allen has become something of a journeyman after stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos and Bengals.
He started three times with the Broncos in 2019 while only starting six games in three seasons at Cincinnati. Allen has now signed with the 49ers, where he joins Brock Purdy, Trey Lance and Sam Darnold in a crowded QB room that has raised many questions.
The 49ers have plenty of quarterbacks to choose from, but injuries have plagued them. Lance — the third overall winner of 2021 — suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 of the 2022 season, which eventually allowed Purdy to transition from third-row quarterback to starter after Jimmy Garoppolo also suffered an injury that ended his season early .
The “Mr Irrelevant” of the 2022 NFL draft after being the last pick in Las Vegas, Purdy went 5-0 in the regular season and led the 49ers to an NFC Championship Game appearance during a spectacular rookie season — and he is expected to be the starter once he returns from ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery. The 23-year-old’s recovery means he won’t be able to pitch until June, while he could also miss the opening games of the 2023 NFL season.
Brandon Allen has been in the league since he was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft(
Lance has been linked to an outside of the Bay Area trade, which may be why the 49ers signed both Darnold and Allen. The 30-year-old is likely an extra arm to help implement offensive plans through drills and training camps, but could be an insurance policy should Lance be treated.
Over the course of his career, Allen has started nine games and has a 56.7 percent completion rate, with 10 touchdowns against six interceptions. He started for the Bengals after Burrow went down with an ACL injury in 2020.
After losing their support to the 49ers, the Bengals made a quick move Wednesday to sign Trevor Siemian. The 31-year-old played for five teams before landing in Cincinnati after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
