SANTA CLARA — Brandon Allen is coming back as Brock Purdy’s backup, possibly with a move up the quarterback depth chart from the emergency, No. 3 role.
Sam Darnold, last year’s No. 2 quarterback, was among those free to discuss a move as NFL free agency talks opened today at 9 a.m.
Allen’s return, first reported by NFL Network, assures that the 49ers will have someone with experience behind Purdy, who overcame last spring’s elbow repair to lead the 49ers all the way up to an overtime lead in the Super Bowl before they fell in last month’s title game to Kansas City.
Allen, 31, did not play a regular-season snap last season, but he showed well enough in the preseason to secure a job as the 49ers traded Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys. Allen is 2-7 all-time as a starter (1-2 with the 2019 Denver Broncos, 1-4 with the 2020 Cincinnati Bengals).
Allen and backup offensive lineman Ben Bartch have agreed to return on one-year deals, according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, who also reported that linebacker Fred Warner has agreed to restructure his contract that called for a $15 million salary this year.
The 49ers have 11 draft picks in which they could bring in another quarterback to compete behind Purdy.
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In other 49ers’ related news:
— Defensive tackle Arik Armstead is expected to be released and end his nine-year tenure ahead of Wednesday’s official opening of the league year.
— Jonathan Greenard, one of the top defensive ends on the market, has agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings, likely signaling Danielle Hunter’s exit from there in free agency. Greenard flourished under ex-49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans in Houston last year; his deal with Minnesota was first reported by NFL Network.
— Fullback Kyle Juszczyk’s agent and the 49ers are in discussions about his contract which calls for a $5.8 million salary. Juszczyk has made the Pro Bowl in each of his seven seasons since signing as a 2017 free agent.
— Safety Rayshawn Jenkins, formerly of the Jaguars and Chargers, is expected to visit the 49ers, according to the NFL Network.
