There is a contingent of San Francisco 49ers fans that want Trey Lance to be the team’s starting quarterback moving forward, regardless of the circumstances.
To these fans, Lance is bound to be the NFL’s next great signal-caller, and Brock Purdy, the team’s incumbent starter, doesn’t have as high a ceiling and is simply in the way.
However, as good as Lance may become, Purdy is simply better right now, and as The Athletic’s David Lombardi notes, that means the 49ers simply cannot give Lance the game reps he needs to develop.
Rewatched Trey Lance vs Chicago…
– Really nice downfield touch when he wasn’t pressured
– The very damaging miss to Kroft came under duress (that’s a hit Lance just needs to grit up and take)
– Frustratingly poor accuracy on gimme throws even before monsoon (this is a larger…— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) July 8, 2023
Lance was named the starter ahead of last season after a rookie campaign in which he played sparingly but showed his potential every now and then in short spurts.
His results were mixed in 2022 until he suffered a severe ankle injury in Week 2 that prematurely ended his season.
Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo took over under center until he himself got injured in Week 13, opening the door for Purdy, the last player taken in the 2022 draft, to shock everyone by playing brilliantly.
Purdy tore the UCL in his throwing elbow during the NFC Championship Game, which seemed to open a window for Lance to again be the starter, at least for a while.
Although he split starting duties with free agent signing Sam Darnold during OTAs, the Niners seem ready to move forward with Purdy at QB1 once he makes a full recovery.
On the other hand, there have been rumors they may look to trade Lance, but it doesn’t appear they will actually do so for at least a little while.
Still, it is looking more and more like his best opportunity to develop will ultimately come on another team.
