Multiple Teams Reportedly Inquiring About Trade For San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Trey Lance

Getty Image

When the San Francisco 49ers moved up and selected Trey Lance with the third pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, it was with the idea that he would be their starting quarter for the next decade-plus.

Things haven’t exactly worked out according to plan.

Lance barely played at all as a rookie and struggled when he did.

He won the starting job over Jimmy Garoppolo in year two, but a broken ankle against the Seattle Seahawks quickly ended his season.

Through two seasons, Lance has played in just eight games. He’s thrown for only 797 yards and five touchdowns in those games to go along with three interceptions.

And yet the Niners still look like a Super Bowl contender in 2023 thanks in large part to the emergence of Brock Purdy. San Francisco made Purdy “Mr. Irrelevant” in the 2022 NFL Draft. But after injuries to Lance and Garoppolo, Purdy took over and stole the show.

Purdy is still rehabbing following offseason surgery on a torn UCL in his right arm. But he’s expected to be the Niners’ starter in 2023.

Which puts Lance in a weird situation.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport now reports that multiple teams have inquired about a trade for Lance.

“Sources: The #49ers have received inquiries from several teams looking into a potential trade for former No. 3 pick QB Trey Lance. The conversations have been the result of SF fielding the calls, not making them, with teams aware that Brock Purdy is likely the future starter,” Rapoport said in a tweet.

Though he then clarified that no trade is imminent.

With Purdy cementing his status as the San Francisco starter, a trade may be best for all parties. It allows the Niners to help build around their new QB, while Lance gets a second chance as a starter.

And if recent mechanical changes are any indication, whoever acquires Lance could end up very happy.