Why Shanahan chose Allen over Dobbs as the 49ers’ backup QB Originally appeared in NBC Bay Area Sports
Kyle Shanahan finally He sided with Brandon Allen as backup quarterback for the 49ers Josh Dobbs after an extensive battle on the training ground.
Although Dobbs seemed to play better during the preseason, Shanahan revealed why Allen… San Francisco’s No. 3 quarterback behind Sam Darnold last season, got the nod over Dobbs.
The 49ers coach explained during Saturday’s press conference that the close race was due to Allen’s longer tenure with the team.
“You have to make a decision,” Shanahan told reporters. “I usually don’t want to have to make it. I usually want it to be that obvious, that it’s going to play out.”
“Brandon had an advantage just by being here. I think he did some better things in practice.”
After Darnold left for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, Dobbs signed a One-year contract worth $2.35 million with the 49ers. He is expected to remain on the 53-man roster as the team’s No. 3 emergency quarterback this season.
“I think Josh really closed the gap in games and honestly I would have loved to have had another week with them to have to decide,” Shanahan said. “But you definitely have to list it one way since the third (quarterback) only comes in in an emergency.”
Dobbs admitted to the San Francisco Chronicle this week that he thought he had… He earned the role of substitute thanks to his flashy play in San Francisco’s three preseason games.
Shanahan also noted that Allen’s style of play helped give him the edge in the competition in case something happened to starter Brock Purdy.
“Brandon has a little bit more similarities to Brock, which made us lean that way,” Shanahan concluded. “But it wasn’t anything against Josh. It was a really tough decision and we just had to make it.”
However, the 49ers faithful are hoping Purdy stays healthy all season so Shanahan’s decision won’t matter as San Francisco looks for another deep playoff run.