49ers' Deebo Samuel declines to name best QB on roster

San Francisco 49ers offensive weapon Deebo Samuel generated headlines by cutting a recent interview during "The Zach Gelb Show" short. 

As noted by Jack Hammer of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and Jose Luis Sanchez III of FanNation's All 49ers, Samuel also declined to name 2022 rookie sensation Brock Purdy "the best quarterback on the roster right now" over Trey Lance during that chat. Instead, Samuel said he doesn't "do too much talking about that" and added that those discussions are for head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. 

As far back as February, individuals associated with the 49ers such as tight end George Kittle suggested the starting job for the upcoming season is Purdy's to lose. That was well before it was learned that Purdy seemingly is on track to start the Week 1 matchup at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10 coming off the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow he suffered during the NFC Championship Game this past January. 

Lynch isn't hiding he wants a healthy Purdy to start over both Lance and free-agency signing Sam Darnold, and it's been reported Darnold "has the edge" over Lance in a competition to win the QB2 gig. Meanwhile, Samuel offered some high praise for Lance before the dual threat abruptly ended the discussion. 

"Very versatile, strong arm, smart young man," Samuel said about the unproven 23-year-old. "How fast he can pick up things because everything was thrown at him at once. His first year, he was behind (former San Francisco starter) Jimmy Garoppolo and when he first got a chance to show people what he could do he got an injury. Just coming back into minicamp and watching Trey, it’s been a significant improvement." 

Reports hovering over the 49ers across the past few months indicated Lance will enter training camp third on the depth chart. If, however, Samuel is right and Lance shows during preseason play he has improved "significantly" since he last faced a live defense in Week 2 of the previous campaign, the 2021 first-round draft pick could give Shanahan and Lynch something to think about depending on Purdy's status in the final days of August.