LAS VEGAS — After three NFL preseason games, the 49ers have some tough decisions to make -- including who they will choose as quarterback Brock Purdy’s backup.
Josh Dobbs strengthened his case in San Francisco's preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday night at Allegiant Stadium, completing 8 of 10 passes for 72 yards and one touchdown for a 130.0 rating. He has less experience than Brandon Allen, last season’s No. 3 QB, in 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s system, but he has seemed to catch on quickly since his arrival this offseason.
“It was rolling well; it was smooth,” Dobbs said of his first drive. “It can be hard when you’re standing on the sidelines, especially all day, it feels like. With a 7 p.m. game, and you wait until after halftime to go in and play.”
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Dobbs took over the 49ers' offense on the second drive of the second half. Purdy started the game and played three drives, then Allen came in and completed 5 of 7 passes for 60 yards and a 97.3 rating across four drives.
“My goal when I get on the field is to go in and execute, and pick up exactly where they left off,” Dobbs said. “So, getting into a rhythm as quickly as possible, trusting the guys around me that they are going to protect me up front, that the running backs are going to tote the rock, that the receivers are going to make plays for me, and just play my game when I get in there.
“We were able to do that, go down the field and score, and have a couple of efficient drives while I was in there.”
Dobbs completed five consecutive passes on his first drive, targeting tight end Cameron Latu, running back Isaac Guerendo, wide receiver Jacob Cowing and tight end Brayden Willis. Dobbs found Cowing a second time, threading the needle with a pass between two Raiders defenders, to put points on the board.
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“It was a smooth drive,” Dobbs said. “It was good to get out there and get into a rhythm, get a quick completion to Cam. Couple big third downs converting, and once we got in the red zone, it’s a four-point play going from a field goal to a touchdown.
“Any time you get into the red zone, you want to be able to execute. It’s tight windows down there. My job as a quarterback is to put the ball where it needs to be, and it’s their job to come down with it. We were able to do that. It was an efficient drive, and we were able to get on the scoreboard.”
The 49ers will open up the 2024 regular season in a little more than two weeks, when they host the New York Jets on Sept. 9 on "Monday Night Football." Who will back up Purdy in that game is to be decided soon.
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