Darnold, Lance on taking advantage of every rep during 49ers camp

San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Trey Lance had different 2022 seasons.

Lance went into last season, and even training camp, knowing he would be the 49ers’ starter. That, however, took an unfortunate turn in Week 2 when he fractured his ankle, ending his season.

Darnold’s 2022 was different. In early July 2022, the Cleveland Browns traded Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield eventually won the quarterback competition, with Darnold starting the season as his backup.

But despite where or how they started, they both landed in the same position this year.

With the presumption that the starting position is Brock Purdy’s to lose, both Darnold and Lance are taking advantage of every rep they get.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Lance said. “I’m just trying to take advantage of all the reps I get, working with all the guys and it’s just been a ton of fun just to be able to be back out there and to have our full room back, man, it’s been a ton of fun.”

Trey is having "a lot of fun" at training camp pic.twitter.com/QcXhelWUyY

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) July 28, 2023

READ MORE FROM SACTOWN SPORTS: Brock Purdy says it felt ‘like Christmas’ the night before 49ers training camp

Even with 55 starts under his belt, Darnold understands why Purdy is getting more reps with the ones.

“I don’t know exactly what it was, but I don’t think he lost a game last year. Went to the NFC Championship and who knows what could have happened if he didn’t get hurt,” Darnold said. “So I get it. And again, I’m just here to get all the opportunities that I can and see what my role is for this team.”

Sam Darnold shares his thoughts on Brock Purdy getting all the first-team reps pic.twitter.com/yUF8Oa5NkF

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) July 28, 2023

Add in Brandon Allen, and the 49ers’ quarterback room currently sits at four players. Lance said everyone already feels like good friends and he was excited when the organization added Darnold to the team.

“I mean, we’re all similar in age, pretty close. So, it’s just been really fun just to be able to work with those guys, bringing [QB] Brandon [Allen] in, [QB] Sam [Darnold] new this year,” Lance said. “But it’s just a fun group of guys, it’s off the field, outside of football. I mean, we’re all pretty good friends, so it’s fun to hang around with those guys.”

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