The 49ers have a monumental question to answer

A year ago, the San Francisco 49ers had a lot of uncertainty about the quarterback position, as starter Jimmy Garoppolo was set to become a free agent.

Either way, they have even more uncertainty now after their massive loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.

Garoppolo will once again be a free agent, while Trey Lance recovers from a serious ankle injury and rookie Brock Purdy will undergo surgery to repair a UCL tear in his elbow he suffered on Sunday.

The 49ers QB situation will be fascinating this offseason:

Brock Purdy: Facing 6-month recovery for torn UCL

Trey Lance: Rehab after second ankle surgery, expected back by OTAs

Jimmy Garoppolo: ready to become a free agent

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 30, 2023

The 49ers have a very strong team at almost every other position, boasting the best defense in the NFL and having plenty of weapons on the offensive side of football.

With potential Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa at defensive end and middle linebacker Fred Warner and safety Talanoa Hufanga earning both Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors, San Francisco has a team very physical and formidable in defense.

But quarterback is the most important position in any sport, and without a solid position, the team will go nowhere.

Purdy is expected to be out for at least six months after having surgery, and if he needs Tommy John surgery, he could miss an entire year – or even longer.

The Niners could eventually decide to bring Garoppolo back once again, especially if Purdy misses part or all of the 2023 campaign, but it would cost them a lot of money.

They’ve already committed plenty of plays to keep Deebo Samuel in town, and they’re also looking to give Bosa a lucrative extension this offseason.