The 2022 NFL offseason showed lots of drama with quarterbacks on their teams.
Deshaun Watson meeting and signing with the Browns would start drama with Baker Mayfield.
Other teams that tried to land Watson also saw their quarterbacks get upset.
But no team is like the San Francisco 49ers and the two quarterbacks they have.
First, there’s quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, a player always in QB trade rumors.
Then there’s the 49ers other quarterback, Trey Lance, who’s coming into his second season in the NFL.
Many fans seen him as the replacement for Garoppolo when he was drafted.
However, that hasn’t happened yet.
The team stuck with Jimmy G in 2021 and made the NFC Championship that season.
But will 2022 see the 49ers staying patient with Lance?
Rumors Say Lance Will Start In 2022
Everyone loves rumors in the NFL.
One rumor had the 49ers telling Lance he’s the guy in 2022 for the team.
According to Jeremy Fowler, Trey Lance has been told he's the 2022 starter.
IT'S TIME.
Plus, #49ers in no rush to trade Jimmy G?
WATCH: https://t.co/P665vn8m9J#NFL #FTTB pic.twitter.com/3J6tpuSll2
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) March 24, 2022
That means they gave him one year to watch Garoppolo and to learn the system.
The patience with Lance could pay off if he’s the starter next year.
He doesn’t have a history of injuries like Garoppolo and he was solid as a spot starter in 2021.
When looking for a quarterback, having someone that can stay healthy is a big upside.
Lance gives them that upside in 2022.
However, there are people who doubt his ability as a starting quarterback.
Lance’s Limited Starts In 2021 Show He’s Not A Bust
As a starter in 2021, Lance went 1-1.
Trey lance started 2 games. 1 vs the Cardinals and 1 vs the Texans. Those are the only games n which he started and played the entire game
— Derrick (@49ers_battlerap) February 22, 2022
His first start was a loss to the Cardinals, which was a close game.
The second start he had was a crucial win against the Texans that helped put the team in the playoffs.
He passed for 441 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in those two starts.
That doesn’t make Lance the best quarterback, but it also doesn’t make him a bust.
Improvements made by Lance going forward with the 49ers will be helpful.
People that believe in him think he can make those needed improvements.
If Lance Gets The Start, He Needs Protection From His Offensive Line
Protecting the quarterback is the biggest job of the offensive line in every NFL game.
However, the group in San Francisco failed to do that.
3rd quarter vs Cardinals: Every snap analyzed — Trey Lance needs better O-line play: https://t.co/VhAAfENm1l
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) February 28, 2022
Poor protection hurt the 49ers’ chances in some critical games during the 2021 season.
For them to win with Lance under center in 2022, they need to make improvements to their pass blocking.
Lance is a bust without those offensive line improvements.
However, the 49ers’ hands were tied in offering money to players that could protect him.
Garoppolo’s Contract Hurts The 49ers Buying Power In Free Agency
The 49ers were prevented from signing major offensive line stars because of Garoppolo’s contract.
His cap hit is over $25 million for 2022.
It has scared teams away from trading for him.
His contract sucks the money out of the 49ers’ cap space to add new players for Lance.
So unless they can trade him in 2022 or rework his contract, Lance will need to use his feet more than his arm in 2022.
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