2023-08-25 09:10:00
Trey Lance joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 as a hopeful. Two years later, the expensive investment in the draft for the franchise has not paid off and the criticism of the young quarterback, who faces an uncertain future, does not end.
von Daniel Kugler
In the 2021 draft, the San Francisco 49ers went all-in for their future hopeful.
The franchise sent three first-round picks and one third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in order to be able to pick three instead of twelfth in the first round and thus committed quarterback Trey Lance.
Two seasons later, however, the disillusionment with the expensive investment around the Bay Area is great. In the US media, the deal is already being described as one of the biggest failures in recent NFL history.
For the player himself, the prospects of justifying his high price in the future and meeting the high expectations are getting worse following his disappointing start in the NFL.
The most important thing regarding the NFL
Trey Lance: The steep descent of the former top pick
As a rookie, Lance was still very inconsistent and consequently took on the role of Jimmy Garoppolo’s backup in order to be able to learn behind the veteran in peace. In addition to four brief assignments, he was allowed to start twice in 2021 when “Jimmy G.” injured. After the season, however, Lance emphasized that he had been struggling all season with an injury to the index finger of his throwing hand, which meant he might only throw with four fingers.
Last season, the final change was to be made in San Francisco and the 23-year-old started the season as QB1 of the “Niners”. But as early as week two, Lance broke his ankle, which ended his season prematurely.
In the offseason, Lance has made a full recovery, but has lost his starting position for good. “Mister Irrelevant” Brock Purdy, the last pick in the 2022 draft, was thrown in at the deep end in his debut season in the NFL when Garoppolo’s season ended prematurely following an injury in early December.
In contrast to Lance, Purdy knew how to convince right away and following his return from an elbow injury suffered in the playoffs, he will appear once more as a starting quarterback in the coming season.
With offseason newcomer Sam Darnold, the former franchise hope only fought for the backup role behind Purdy in the preparation. But even in this duel, Lance should be at a disadvantage.
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San Francisco 49ers: Darnold becomes Purdy backup – Lance before trade?
Ahead of the weekend’s final preseason game once morest the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that he will start the season with Darnold as starter Purdy’s representative. Lance has thus slipped from starter to number three in the team in just one year.
According to “ESPN”, the quarterback will no longer be used once morest the Chargers and was not present at training on Wednesday on the advice of his coach in order to “take the day off and switch off” following the bad news from the morning.
“We gave him a great chance to win the number two spot this year. It was a very tough fight, but Sam won it in the long run,” the 43-year-old was quoted as saying by The Athletic Lance’s injuries as the main reasons for his underdevelopment.
Whether his future still lies with the 49ers seems extremely unlikely following the recent demotion.
There was already persistent trade speculation surrounding the draft in April. These should now pick up speed once more.
The decisive factor will be how much San Francisco still asks for in exchange for Lance. A high draft pick as compensation seems unlikely, because elsewhere the player beckons just a backup role shortly before the start of the season.
San Francisco 49ers: Lance sharply criticized following preseason opener
Previously, the performances of the former top picks in the preseason were watched with eagle eyes. After the clear 7:34 at the start once morest the Las Vegas Raiders, Lance was once more sharply criticized for his performance as a starter.
While his stats were solid, with 10 of 15 successful passes for 112 passing yards and a touchdown, the touchdown came on a throw that should have been intercepted.
Shanahan described the pass as “scary” according to CBS News, but thought it was good that Lance wasn’t intimidated and was taking risks. “Those are things you can learn from. I think it’s good that he tried to make this play, no matter what the result,” continued the coach.
In addition, Lance was charged with nearly throwing another interception, but a defender dropped the ball. Overall, he often held the football too long, which contributed to the four sacks. The shaky offensive line once morest the Raiders didn’t exactly give the quarterback much time either. Lance was pressured on half of his 20 drop backs, according to Pro Football Focus.
Coach Shanahan was nevertheless impressed by how his protégé dealt with the high expectations placed on him and the public pressure: “Trey is extremely intelligent and has a pronounced social awareness. He knows how the world works. He does his best and I think he does It’s damn good to put that aside and focus on getting better. He’s done that for me so far.”
Lance leads 49ers to game-winning drive in preseason vs Broncos
In the second preseason game once morest the Denver Broncos, competitor Purdy celebrated his comeback regarding five months following his surgery. Lance was the last quarterback to play behind Darnold and had another interception on his first drive. After that, however, the playmaker showed himself to be significantly improved, exuded self-confidence and did not allow a sack.
The quarterback ended the game with 12 of 18 successful passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. But more importantly, he led the team across the field with a 43-yard pass to wide receiver Ronnie Bell on a game-winning drive, which kicker Jake Moody completed with a field goal to make it 21:20.
“I feel like I’m learning a lot every time I’m on the field. I’m getting better with every repetition, whether it’s in training, in a game or anywhere else,” Lance emphasized following the game nothing might change his fate.
The lack of competition practice compared to his competitors proved to be too great a shortcoming – and not just since the move to the NFL. In three seasons of college at North Dakota State and his first two years with the 49ers, the quarterback made just 420 combined pass attempts in games, according to NBC Sports.
By comparison, incumbent Kansas City Chiefs MVP Patrick Mahomes made 648 pass attempts in the 2022 regular season alone. And even a Darnold has already made over 400 pass attempts in his first two seasons in the NFL following the New York Jets drafted in third place in 2018.
Alex Smith breaks the lance for youngster Trey Lance
While numerous US experts have long since denied Lance the qualities for a great career as a starter in the NFL and have already labeled him unsuitable for the Shanahan system in advance, he has a great advocate in one of his predecessors in the 49ers.
Ex-quarterback Alex Smith can understand the difficult situation and the high pressure on the 23-year-old from his own experience like no other. “I can identify with him very well. You can see he’s carrying a lot of baggage,” the 39-year-old, who retired in 2021, recently told SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Smith came into the league as the 49ers’ #1 pick in the 2005 draft, but he didn’t have the hoped-for success right off the bat. In his first four seasons at San Francisco, Smith struggled with high expectations and was also held back by injuries. Over time, however, Smith found his game and, following joining the Kansas City Chiefs in his ninth year in the NFL, earned the first of his three Pro Bowl nominations.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are the only team that has yet to commit to a starter. Both rookie CJ Stroud and last year’s QB Davis Mills still have chances. “I don’t care regarding other people’s tasks. I have to focus on what we’re doing in this locker room. […] My job is to go out there and play,” Stroud is quoted as saying on ESPN. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans told the media, “We’ll see who earns what and you’ll see our starter in Baltimore.”
• Starter: ?
• Im Kader: C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills, Case Keenum, E.J. Perry© Getty
Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love has long been confirmed as the successor to the legendary Aaron Rodgers at the Green Bay Packers. The young quarterback is set to become the new face of the team. Now it is also clear who will be the number 2 playmaker in the new season. It is Sean Clifford who prevailed once morest Danny Etling. This was confirmed by Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
• Starter: Jordan Love
• Backup: Sean Clifford
• Im Kader: Alex McGough© USA TODAY Network
san francisco 49ers
In all probability, Brock Purdy will be the starting QB for the 49ers in the coming season. While this personality has been as good as fixed for a long time, his backup is now apparently certain. The Niners will make Sam Darnold their backup quarterback, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. The future of the third candidate Trey Lance is therefore still completely unclear. The franchise is currently exploring its options, they say. As 49ers reporter Cam Inman reports, Lance was no longer on the field at the last practice session before the preseason finale. A trade seems more than likely.
• Starter: Brock Purdy
• Backup: Sam Darnold
• Im Kader: Trey Lance, Brandon Allen© USA TODAY Network
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The quarterback race is decided – in favor of Baker Mayfield. Even before the last preseason game once morest the Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 1 a.m. live on joyn, ran.de and the ran app), Bucs coach Todd Bowles said: “Baker is our starting quarterback, Kyle (Trask) is ours Number 2”. Trask has improved a lot compared to spring, Bowls explained: “But Baker is our man at the moment.” Mayfield follows in the footsteps of Tom Brady.
• Starter: Baker Mayfield
• Backup: Kyle Trask
• In the squad: John Wolford© ZUMA Wire
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have now officially named Sam Howell as their starting quarterback. Head coach Ron Rivera had recently expressed reservations: “Just because I said that Sam will go to the training camp as QB1, that doesn’t mean that he will also be QB1 followingwards,” said the main trainer. However, Rivera has now confirmed Howell.
• Starter: Sam Howell
• Backup: Jacoby Brissett, Jake Fromm© USA TODAY Network
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have named rookie Anthony Richardson as their starting quarterback for Week 1 of the NFL. The number 4 pick beat Gardner Minshew in a duel and had already played with the starters in the Colts’ first preseason game. Alongside backup Minshew, Sam Ehlinger is the third QB in the Colts roster.
• Starter: Anthony Richardson
• In the frame: Gardner Minshew, Sam Ehlinger© imago images
Tennessee Titans
The question for the Tennessee Titans is who will be starter Ryan Tannehill’s first backup. According to a report by team reporter Jim Wyatt, Malik Willis topped rookie Will Levis in the offseason. However, the rookie from last year might still be cut. “Malik’s place in the squad is not guaranteed,” said Wyatt. Willis made eight (short) appearances last season, but did not throw a single touchdown and made three interceptions. That’s one of the reasons why the Titans picked Levis in 33rd place in this year’s draft, who probably has the better cards in the direct backup positions. In addition, it is not unlikely that the rookie might even challenge the 34-year-old veteran Tannehill for the starting place during the course of the season.
• Starter: Ryan Tannehill
• Backup: Malik Willis, Will Levis© getty
Carolina Panthers
With the first overall pick, the Panthers chose Bryce Young in the draft. And that was quite expensive, since they had previously traded the first pick from the Chicago Bears. After initially planning to start the season with Andy Dalton as starting quarterback, the tables have already turned at the start of the OTAs. Panthers coach Frank Reich declared Bryce Young to be the (provisional) starter.
• Starter: Bryce Young
• Backup: Andy Dalton, Matt Coral, Jake Luton© imago images
Arizona Cardinals
• Starter: Colt McCoy
• Backup: David Blough, Jeff Driskel, Clayton Tune, Josh Dobbs
• Injured: Kyler Murray© IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
Atlanta Falcons
• Starter: Desmond Ridder
• Backup: Taylor Heinicke, Logan Woodside© IMAGO
Baltimore Ravens
• Starter: Lamar Jackson
• Backup: Tyler Huntley, Anthony Brown, Josh Johnson© IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
Buffalo Bills
• Starter: Josh Allen
• Backup: Kyle Allen, Matt Barkley
© imago images / Icon SMI
Chicago Bears
• Starter: Justin Fields
• Backups: PJ Walker, Nathan Peterman, Tyson Bagent
© IMAGO/NurPhoto
Cincinnati Bengals
• Starter: Joe Burrow
• Backup: Trevor Siemian, Jake Browning, Reid Sinnett© imago
Cleveland Browns
• Starter: Deshaun Watson
• Backup: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Kellen Mond© Imago
Dallas Cowboys
• Starter: Dak Prescott
• Backup: Cooper Rush, Will Grier
© IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
Denver Broncos
• Starter: Russell Wilson
• Backup: Jarrett Stidham, Ben DiNucci© IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
Detroit Lions
• Starter: Jared Goff
• Backup: Teddy Bridgewater, Nate Sudfeld, Hendon Hooker, Adrian Martinez© Getty Images
Jacksonville Jaguars
• Starter: Trevor Lawrence
• Backup: Nathan Rourke, C.J. Beathard
© Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs
• Starter: Patrick Mahomes
• Backups: Blaine Gabbert, Shane Buechele, Chris Oladokun
© Getty Images
Las Vegas Raiders
• Starter: Jimmy Garoppolo
• Backup: Brian Hoyer, Chase Garbers, Aidan O’Connell© IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
Los Angeles Chargers
• Starter: Justin Herbert
• Backup: Easton Stick, Max Duggan
© Getty
Los Angeles Rams
• Starter: Matthew Stafford
• Backup: Stetson Bennett, Brett Rypien, Dresser Winn
© IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
Miami Dolphins
• Starter: Tua Tagovailoa
• Backup: Mike White, Skylar Thompson, James Blackman
© Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings
• Starter: Kirk Cousins
• Backup: Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall, Jordan Ta’amu© Getty
New England Patriots
• Starter: Mac Jones
• Backup: Bailey Zappe, Trace McSorley, Malik Cunningham© IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
New Orleans Saints
• Starter: Derek Carr
• Backup: Jameis Winston, Jake Haener© IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
New York Giants
• Starter: Daniel Jones
• Backup: Tyrod Taylor, Tommy DeVito
© Getty
New York Jets
• Starter: Aaron Rodgers
• Backup: Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle© imago images
Philadelphia Eagles
• Starter: Jalen Hurts
• Backup: Marcus Mariota, Ian Book, Tanner McKee
© 2023 Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers
• Starter: Kenny Pickett
• Backups: Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Tanner Morgan
© IMAGO
Seattle Seahawks
• Starter: Geno Smith
• Backup: Drew Lock, Holton Ahlers
© Getty Images
Fulfilling the high expectations and wanting to please everyone is not always beneficial. “You can see he’s dying to go out there and it (his draft position, Anm. d. Red.) wants to justify,” Smith emphasized in relation to Lance’s performance in the preseason game once morest the Raiders: “You don’t want to make a mistake. You hold onto the ball a little too long. You want it almost too much.”
Smith considers the harsh media criticism of Lance to be “extremely unfair” and warns to put the youngster’s performance in perspective: “Look at the facts. The boy has played five games in the last three years (as a starter, Anm. d. Red.). Five football games! He is 23 years old. I think he has an incredibly bright future ahead of him.”
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