In the wake of the 49ers’ decision to have Sam Darnold as the team’s backup quarterback, coach Kyle Shanahan expressed a desire for now third-string quarterback Trey Lance to remain with the team.
The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported that San Francisco was “exploring options” with Lance, and that his future was unclear. Shanahan, meanwhile, said he was “really hoping” Lance would remain with the 49ers.
“This isn’t a thing where we’re giving up on Trey … You only get so many reps at it,” Shanahan said, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “We feel starting about 10 days ago Sam really separated himself, and we got to keep it real in that way.”
The decision to have two quarterbacks—Darnold and starter Brock Purdy—ahead of Lance is just the latest setback in what’s been a rocky career for the former No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft. Lance has made four starts over two seasons after San Francisco traded multiple first-round picks in order to move up to take Lance in the draft.
That decision has backfired, not just due to Lance’s slow development but also because of the players who were selected with the picks San Francisco traded away. Lance started the team’s first two games last season, yet suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2.
