Brock Purdy has been viewed as Niners starting QB since February
Trey Lance wasn't traded to the Dallas Cowboys until just recently, but based on recent reports of Brock Purdy's rapid ascension in the San Francisco 49ers system, there was never much of a competition for the starting QB role in the Bay Area.
A deep dive from Matt Barrows at The Athletic looking into Purdy's resilience through a rib injury (subscription required) and his rise to become the QB that took the Niners all the way to the NFC Championship revealed that when head coach Kyle Shanahan watched all of his plays in February after the season, that's when he was convinced Purdy was his starting quarterback.
Though the Niners did their due dilligence and held an open tryout of sorts for the role between Purdy, Sam Darnold, and Lance, it was never much of a competition for the starting role: Purdy was the guy.
While the tape is what secured his role, it was the icing on top. Barrows' reporting dove into Purdy's playing through an injury and learning on the fly.
Steelers could be going up against Nick Bosa in Week 1 after all
The Pittsburgh Steelers sure would like timing to be on their side for Week 1. Matched up against the Niners, it would be ideal if Nick Bosa's contract holdout extends beyond Sunday so that the Steelers don't have to deal with the imposing pass rusher.
It's still up in the air as far as whether or not Bosa will play, but the more we learn, the more it looks as though Bosa will be settled up and ready to go. All signs point toward progress on Bosa's new contract with the team.
Should Bosa get settled on the financial side, the only thing that would be left is his athleticism and readiness. Given that he's been in the system for four years now playbooks and schemes shouldn't be a huge ask. Conditioning is the only question mark.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan joined Bay Area radio KNBR to talk about Bosa and had this to say (H/T Steelers Depot):
"I'm gonna do everything I can to hope that he plays vs. Pittsburgh," the coach said.
Bosa accrued 51 tackles, 48 quarterback hits and a league-leading 18.5 sacks last year in a defensive player of the year season. Having him out of the equation would surely be the preference for Pittsburgh.
You don't get to choose your obstacles, though, and the Steelers need to prepare as if they'll be up against a pass rush that features Bosa. Best case, they're overprepared if he doesn't end up playing.
Chiefs get great news on likely WR1 this season
No, unfortunately, little movement on Chris Jones returning to the Kansas City Chiefs just yet. It does sound like the two sides are talking, and those talks have not fallen apart into trade discussions just yet, but the idea of Jones playing on Thursday night for the season opener looks slim.
Good news on the offensive side, though, as wide receiver Kadarius Toney is back with the team after missing most of training camp with a knee injury. Patrick Mahomes gave him high praise in his return to practice, which can only mean good things.
After much of his NFL career to this point has been defined by being sidelined over injuries, his debut for Week 1 was certainly in question.
The Chiefs have been hyping up Toney -- who they acquired at the trade deadline last year -- as their next primary wide receiver. Injuries appear to be the only thing that could possibly get in the way.
Since he was a midseason acquisition, Toney didn't play a massive role right out of the gates last year but became more impactful throughout the year. In a 3-point win over the Broncos in Week 17, he gained 71 yards. He scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl, helping him stick out as a notable face in the Chiefs quest for a repeat this year.
No word on how much he'll be used to start the year. The Chiefs have a good mix of wide receivers with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore rounding out the other starting spots. Justyn Ross may prove to be a savvy undrafted free agent pickup for the Chiefs, who they plan to use situationally before giving him more reliable reps. Ross, too, has struggled with injuries that took his draft stock from first round toundrafted entirely.
Mahomes will have Toney in Week 1, though, and that's good news for the Chiefs.
