As the San Francisco 49ers continue their organized team activities (OTAs), the quarterback competition between Sam Darnold and Trey Lance has been heating up, with both players impressing in their own right. Today, both quarterbacks threw deep passes, with Darnold delivering more accurate throws than Lance, though both managed to connect with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for touchdowns.
Sam Darnold took most of the 1st string QB reps today and completed 10 of 12 passes with one drop against a defense that was missing all but three starters. Trey Lance took most of the 2nd string QB reps and completed 6 of 12 passes with three drops and one 40 yard completion.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) May 31, 2023
Despite false reports suggesting that Trey Lance was dominating the first-team reps during practice, it was revealed that Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers head coach, always intended for Sam Darnold and Trey Lance to split first-team reps in this OTA session, per the David Lombardi YouTube Channel. Darnold opened today's practice as the first-team quarterback, with Lance starting with the second-team offensive line. Both players had the opportunity to work with first-team receivers and offensive linemen, including the talented Brandon Aiyuk.
A Sports Illustrated article offered its own analysis of the quarterbacks' OTA performances, noting that while Lance completed 6 of 12 pass attempts, with three dropped passes, he seemed overly cautious during practice. The article suggests that he should be more aggressive, especially given the potential for media-fueled competition between him and Darnold over completion rates. On the other hand, Darnold completed 10 of 12 pass attempts with one drop, proving his skills and consistency during practice.
Aside from the quarterback showdown, other notable developments occurred during this second week of 49ers OTA sessions. Brandon Aiyuk, who had a 1,000-yard season last year, shared his enthusiasm for his future growth, stating that his previous performance was just the beginning. In addition, rookie safety Ji'Ayir Brown, who already had 10 interceptions over the past two years in college football, recorded four (nearly five) interceptions during the OTAs, making him a standout player to watch.
Moreover, some players, such as Drake Jackson, displayed significant progress in their physical conditioning. According to the Lombardi YouTube video, Jackson now weighs 265 pounds (up from 252), can squat 415 pounds, and can bench press 315 pounds. This impressive development is certain to be a valuable asset to the 49ers defensive line during the upcoming season.
However, not everything was smooth sailing during the OTAs. Several players experienced challenges, such as the two fumbled snaps by center Nick Soquel while working with Trey Lance. Other players encountered difficulties, with several drops occurring throughout practice, emphasizing the need for continued refinement and focus during these training sessions.
Though certain key players remained absent from the OTAs, such as Nick Bosa and Jayvon Hargrave, others made their presence known. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who did not participate in team drills, was spotted running on the side, while running back Elijah Mitchell was notably absent from the practice field.
Moving forward, it is essential for the San Francisco 49ers to continue refining the skills of both Sam Darnold and Trey Lance in preparation for the upcoming football season. With continued focus on deep passes and aerial play, along with addressing the unresolved issues experienced during the OTAs, the 49ers can capitalize on their players' individual talents and hone their team dynamics for a successful season.
