How about this for a practice plan?
The San Francisco 49ers are asking rookie quarterback Trey Lance to be Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the scout team this week.
If Lance can mimic Rodgers, this will help the 49ers’ defense get ready for their NFC divisional playoff game with the Packers on Saturday night at Lambeau Field.
What Is The Thinking Behind This Plan?
#49ers Kyle Shanahan's goal on Trey Lance's scout-team role this week mimicking Aaron Rodgers:
"Aaron does real good job not making bad decisions and not turning ball over. Also makes all plays down field when you're off a hair. We need Trey to be aggressive and let it rip."— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 19, 2022
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan explained the method behind the madness.
“We need Trey to be very aggressive, let it rip. Hopefully if he does make some mistakes in practice, our defense will catch it and make him pay. But we need him to be aggressive in everything he does because Aaron doesn’t miss many of those opportunities when they’re presented to him.”
The 49ers need Trey Lance to be Aaron Rodgers in practice this week running the scout team. Another nice developmental opportunity for Lance
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 19, 2022
This Is Asking A Lot From Lance
I agree with Fred Warner using Trey Lance as Aaron Rodgers is a tall task #49ers #FTTB
— ❌ADAM❌ (@ARock559) January 19, 2022
To begin with, Aaron Rodgers might go down in history as one of the best to ever play the game.
He is a 17-year veteran, and the rookie Lance is just getting started in the NFL.
Lance was drafted No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft amid speculation that he would take starter Jimmy Garoppolo‘s job in 2021.
He has appeared in five games and started in two.
Lance has thrown five touchdowns and two interceptions.
He has completed 57.7% of his passes.
What Else Shanahan Said About Rodgers
Thus far Lance has not shown the precision and accuracy of Rodgers.
To be fair, few veteran NFL quarterbacks possess abilities comparable to Rodgers.
Shanahan addressed this by saying:
“Aaron does a real good job of not making bad decisions and not turning the ball over. But he also makes all the plays down the field wherever you’re off just a hair.”
About Jimmy Garoppolo
Some have speculated that Jimmy Garoppolo is increasing his trade value.
The 49ers did not draft Lance that high to have him sit on the bench.
It is a matter of when and not if Lance takes over.
Garoppolo has been very good at handling the pressure of Lance’s arrival as well as the rigors of the season.
He did suffer a sprained throwing shoulder during the wildcard victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Garoppolo also has a thumb injury that he is working through.
He does not seem concerned about his injuries or the cold weather at Lambeau Field.
#49ers Jimmy Garoppolo on playing through thumb/shoulder in Lambeau cold:
"I’ve played in the cold my whole life so won’t be crazy with that. Learning to adjust and that’s what this week is practice is for. We’re in a good spot, though"— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 19, 2022
Garoppolo played in New England behind Tom Brady so he certainly knows a thing or two about cold-weather games.
“I’ve played in the cold my whole life so won’t be crazy with that. Learning to adjust and that’s what this week[‘s] practice is for. We’re in a good spot though.”
This Is A Week 3 Rematch
"MASON CROSBY HAS DONE IT AGAIN!"
Hear the #Packers radio call of @crosbykicks2's walk-off winner vs. the 49ers 📻#GBvsSF | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/RSqanktJq6
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 27, 2021
The Packers traveled to San Francisco in a Week 3 matchup.
This is the game where the Packers jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but the 49ers worked their way back into the game.
In the end, the Packers prevailed with a Mason Crosby game-winning field goal.
The final score was 30-28.
Watch the 49ers take on the Packers on Saturday, January 22 at 8:15 PM EST on FOX.
NEXT: What Would It Cost To Trade For Jimmy Garoppolo?
