The San Francisco 49ers are heading into 2022 with two top quarterbacks.
However, they will start Trey Lance this season over Jimmy Garoppolo.
While Garoppolo restructured his contract, it didn’t change his placement on the depth chart.
So this season belongs to Lance, whom many 49ers fans have desired to have leading the team.
With this being his second season, and San Fran being a playoff contender, the pressure is on him.
But he can prove quickly he’s able to handle this pressure.
Having Garoppolo Gives Lance A Mentor To Handle Pressure
Some young quarterbacks in the NFL require a veteran QB to help mentor them.
With Garoppolo sticking around, Lance has a mentor to help him during this 2022 season in San Francisco.
However, the advice he might receive goes beyond how to become a better quarterback
It could be advice on how to handle pressure while having an offensive line that isn’t the best in 2022.
Nothing. It says absolutely nothing.
What is says is: They don’t trust Brock Purdy/Nate Sudfeld behind what could be a very bad offensive line should said very bad offensive line get their young QB hurt.
Jimmy is the backup, and will remain the backup.
— Steve Fishman (@SteveFishman2) August 29, 2022
With the 49ers line being bad this season in many fans’ eyes, Lance will need help on how to read defenses.
This is something Garoppolo was best at when running a two-minute drill.
If the young quarterback can learn this from his mentor, it will help him handle the pressure of becoming the starting QB.
However, he needs a little more than just advice to overcome the pressure of being a starting quarterback in the NFL
Lance Needs To Use His Arm And Legs To His Advantage
While getting a read on defensive alignments and player packages will help the young QB, he’s going to need a powerful arm and quick legs.
However, he already has both these features, and has let fans see this in games.
5 days till #NFL kickoff brings you: Trey Lance
-One of if not the most hyped fantasy football player
-Cannon of an arm and a threat to run the ball anytime
-QB13 (9.02) per @FFfaceoff
-11/16 for 141 yards and ONE TD this preseason
Will Lance finish as a QB1 this season? pic.twitter.com/VgczWNarlJ— Ryan Miner (@RyanMiner_FFB) September 3, 2022
With his legs and arm, he’s a threat as both a passer and rusher.
But he needs play calling that focuses on these attributes he possesses.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan will help the young QB with the playbook and play calling to help focus things around him.
So what could he have in mind to help his young QB succeed under pressure this season?
RPO With Lance And Samuel Can Keep Defenses Guessing
While the run/pass option is a popular college football play, it’s becoming popular with running quarterbacks.
If Shanahan wants to help his quarterback keep defensive pressure off himself, having the RPO in his play calling helps.
They just need to add Deboo Samuel into the mix, the Swiss Army knife of their offense.
With the explosiveness of Samuel, and the legs of Lance, they can keep defenses guessing.
Will they hand the ball to Samuel, or does Lance fake it and run the ball himself?
He could even keep it after a sweep fake to Samuel, then throw it down the field.
The RPO opens up the entire field to the young quarterback, as he can exploit defenses with the right reads.
However, it’s on Shanahan to focus on this in their play calling this season.
If he does, Lance can easily overcome any pressure coming his way in 2022.
