The Facts: Mr. Irrelavant seems to now be a very relevant member in the future for the San Francisco 49ers. Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle reports Purdy is expected to be the 49ers starting quarterback over Trey Lance next season. This according to two people with knowledge of the 49ers' plans.

Diehards Line: HC Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch won’t come out and declare this to the masses, but privately, that’s where they are. The 49ers may go through the motions of staging an offseason competition between Purdy and Lance, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft. They may even decide to extend it through training camp and the preseason. Realistically, however, this is not an equal fight. Purdy has earned Shanahan’s trust and confidence in a manner that Lance has not and practice reps and preseason performances aren’t changing that. Lance won’t be the Niners’ presumed QB1, the massive investment to acquire him fewer than two years ago notwithstanding. The same goes for Jimmy Garoppolo, who, despite a storybook mini-season of his own, will be securing a bag in another NFL city after 5½ years as the handsome face of the franchise.