It’s official — Sam Darnold will be the backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, while Trey Lance will be their third-stringer at that position.
Lance, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is still thought to have plenty of potential, but it looks like he will not get the opportunity to realize any of it in San Francisco unless Darnold and starter Brock Purdy both suffer injuries.
Most now figure that for Lance to have any shot at becoming a good signal-caller, he will have to leave and join another team.
There is speculation that the 49ers are now looking to trade Lance, and according to Dan Orlovsky, Lance should want out because his psyche is broken, via NFL on ESPN.
.@danorlovsky7 thinks Trey Lance's Psyche is broken 😲
"Trey Lance is not going to become a better player in San Francisco this year." pic.twitter.com/vpfzqy7hp4
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 24, 2023
Lance began last season as the Niners’ starter, but a severe ankle injury in Week 2 sidelined him for the rest of the year and opened a window for Purdy to eventually take over under center.
The team gave up lots of draft capital in order to take Lance in the draft, and Orlovsky believes the circumstances have damaged Lance’s morale.
There’s no telling if the 49ers will be able to recoup even a good amount of the capital they gave up for Lance by trading him.
Purdy played very well after taking over as their starter late last year, and he looked very good in last weekend’s preseason game versus the Denver Broncos.
Lance played most of the second half of that contest, and after some early jitters, he got hot and led San Francisco to a 21-20 comeback win.
But there is no doubt the Niners have pinned their Super Bowl hopes on Purdy and that Lance is now the odd man out.
NEXT: 49ers GM Makes Clear Statement On Nick Bosa's Holdout
