Getty Image / Loren Elliott
2 years ago, the San Francisco 49ers made a massive investment in the future of their franchise.
They traded the 12th pick in the 2021 draft along with their first rounders the following 2 years to move up to pick 3.
They ended up using that 3rd pick to select Trey Lance, who was expected to be their eventual replacement for Jimmy Garoppolo as their franchise quarterback.
Before the start of his 3rd season in the league, the 49ers are already going in another direction.
Brock Purdy took command of the starting job last year while Lance was injured and likely won’t be giving it up for a while.
This week, it became official that Lance wouldn’t even be his backup as Sam Darnold is taking that job.
Throughout the offseason, there have been reports about the 49ers seeking a trade for Lance and it has seemingly become even more likely they will try to deal the 3rd-year quarterback.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like they are going to be happy with the return if they do trade him.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed that he has spoken to NFL executives and they believe that Lance would probably get the 49ers an early Day 3 pick.
Have spoken with several NFL executives about Trey Lance’s potential value: Sense is an early Day 3 pick is probably about right, although higher is feasible.
One assistant GM noted he wasn’t convinced the #49ers pull the trigger unless they received more. “He’s too talented to… pic.twitter.com/sKAmD2HGvT
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 24, 2023
From 3 1st rounders to a Day 3 pick in a little over two years is a pretty horrible drop off for any player.
No matter how things play out at this point, it’s going to be a disappointment for the 49ers, but them accepting that for Lance would be particularly bad.
They might not have many other options as it doesn’t make much sense for them to keep him around just to sit on the bench and then leave as a free agent in two years, but getting a 4th rounder for Trey Lance would be a tough pill to swallow, especially after the Brown got a 5th for Josh Dobbs today.
It isn’t clear right now how Trey Lance’s time in San Francisco will end, but it seems pretty clear that it’s going to be disappointing.