Even before the San Francisco 49ers blew a lead and lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game, it was becoming more and more clear that they were going to move on from incumbent quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and hand the keys to Trey Lance.
Lance only started two games as a rookie in 2021, but he showed glimpses of what he seems capable of doing and the success that may lay directly ahead for the team.
Still, he has very little experience as an NFL signal-caller, and if his weaknesses are too glaring, experienced defenses and coaching staffs will expose them again and again.
Is Lance really ready to lead one of the NFL’s most talented teams, not to mention one of its most iconic franchises that has a winning tradition?
Lance Will Have Plenty To Work With
For starters, the Niners are loaded at the skill positions.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel emerged as an absolute stud this past season, whether he’s lining up as a flanker or in the backfield while masquerading as a running back (or is he a running back masquerading as a wideout?).
Samuel put up 1,770 total yards from scrimmage (1,405 in the air and 365 on the ground) and a total of 14 touchdowns.
He had ample speed downfield, along with the ability to dodge defensive lineman when used out of the backfield.
Brandon Aiyuk is a solid WR2, while George Kittle is one of the league’s better tight ends.
Although the Niners lost running back Raheem Mostert to the Miami Dolphins, another back by the name of Elijah Mitchell came up big in 2021, filling in for an injured Mostert and giving the team 963 yards and five touchdowns in 11 contests.
Even better, head coach Kyle Shanahan is regarded as a strong offensive mind.
The 49ers love to run the football more than most teams, and surely Shanahan will be able to exploit one of Lance’s most enviable traits.
Why Lance Has Potential
The former North Dakota State star stands 6-foot-4 and weighs about 220 pounds, making him one of the bigger and more athletically gifted QBs in the NFL.
When in college, he intrigued scouts with his ability to move the chains by gaining yardage on the run.
In his first start in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, he ran for 89 yards.
Trey Lance Highlights vs Cardinals | 1st Career Start#49ers #NFLTwitter
50 Likes & I drop the Texans Video pic.twitter.com/PThR1bMhe4
— Eric Price (@BayAreaBaller18) March 20, 2022
He looked even better overall, not to mention more comfortable, in his second start later in the season against the Houston Texans, putting up 249 passing yards, 31 rushing yards, and two touchdowns.
Trey Lance Highlights vs Texans | 2nd Career Start | Must Win Game#LANCESZN #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/TV7oXUufBG
— Eric Price (@BayAreaBaller18) March 20, 2022
In addition to his running ability, Lance has also demonstrated the ability to hit receivers downfield with accurate passes.
Although some would argue that it would be best for him to sit another year while watching and learning, there is only so much he can learn while standing on the sideline and holding a clipboard.
Lance, whether he’s a full-time starter or not, needs to get on the field and play.
He needs reps, and he needs to go through the inevitable growing pains that every young QB goes through.
To paraphrase a success philosophy that could perhaps be found on inspirational posters in locker rooms and corporate offices across the nation, the faster one fails, the faster he will succeed.
NEXT: Tom Brady To The 49ers Was Never A Real Possibility