-Ed-Mulholland-USA-TODAY-Sports-57
(New York, NY) — From the future face of the San Francisco 49ers, to sharing snaps with Sam Darnold. That’s the fate of Trey Lance.
Speaking Tuesday at the NFL’s Annual League Meetings, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan says Lance is set to split first-team reps this offseason. This comes just one day removed after general manager John Lynch said ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ Brock Purdy would be the team’s QB1 in 2023.
The downward trend continues for Lance who was once plugged in as the face of the NFL franchise. But it could be a chance for redemption with the Niners’ QB room set to be decimated yet again.
After suffering a broken ankle in September, Lance was sidelined for the remainder of the season. This led to an injury for then-Niners’ second-stringer Jimmy Garrapolo, and eventually the unlikely emergence of Brock Purdy.
Purdy then suffered an injury of his own, a torn UCL in the NFC Championship game. The final pick in the 2022 draft had his elbow fully repaired in March, putting him in line to be cleared by September.
If Purdy were to miss the beginning portion of the season, that leaves Lance vs. Darnold for a temporary spot under center for San Francisco. Darnold happens to be the only player of the two not coming off a season-ending injury.
On a team with an offensive mastermind in Kyle Shanahan, the safe route could be Darnold because of his veteran experience. Not to add, Lance is back to square one in his development, something that could hinder the Niners continued Super Bowl hopes.
Time will only tell.
