The San Francisco 49ers appear to have reached a critical juncture with Trey Lance. According to a report from NFL Media on Wednesday, Sam Darnold is set to become the team's primary backup behind Brock Purdy for the 2023 season. As a result, Lance, the former first-round pick, has been relegated to a third-string reserve position. This move has prompted the Niners to assess their options regarding Lance's future, potentially indicating the groundwork for a trade away from San Francisco. This development aligns with earlier reports from The Athletic that the team has been actively seeking trade opportunities for Lance during the offseason, but without any substantial offers materializing.
Trey Lance's absence from practice was a decision made by the head coach, Kyle Shanahan. Following a challenging morning in which Shanahan had to deliver the difficult news to the young quarterback, he advised Lance to "take the day off, get away," believing it would be beneficial for him, as reported by ESPN.
Lance was entrusted with leading the 49ers' offense last season but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the second week. This setback allowed Jimmy Garoppolo to reclaim his starting role, which he held until his own foot injury in Week 13, leading to Purdy taking over. In his two NFL seasons, Lance has started four games, achieving a 2-2 record. He has completed 54.9% of his passes for a total of 797 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions across eight career games. Unfortunately, injuries have been a recurring theme in the 23-year-old's early career. Lance disclosed that a finger injury affected his rookie season, altering his throwing mechanics. Additionally, he experienced a fractured ankle in the most recent season.