The 49ers’ quarterback depth chart (if fully healthy) will be much clearer when the regular season starts than it is now, as questions abound regarding the availability of starter Brock Purdy and the pecking order of Sam Darnold and Trey Lance. The latter in particular has become the focus of considerable speculation recently. 
Lance has gone from clear-cut No. 1 to potential third-stringer over the course of less than one calendar year, with a report from last month indicating Darnold is believed to be the favorite for the backup role. Relegating the team’s 2021 third overall selection to emergency QB duties would of course be viewed as a signficant drop in confidence on the team’s part.
However, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports provided a more optimistic view of the situation, based in large part on the uncertainty San Francisco has under center. During an appearance on KNBR’s Murph & Mac program, he countered the idea that the 49ers are prepared to move past the North Dakota State alum in favor of Purdy, Darnold or another passer on a long-term basis.
“I don’t think the 49ers have enough information to tell you who is in line to be the backup,” Maiocco said (h/t David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com). “I dispute the notion that the 49ers have soured on Trey Lance. I think… they like him now more than they ever have since they’ve had him with the 49ers, but they just don’t know how he would perform.”
Maiocco’s perspective will certainly be tested in the coming weeks when training camp and the preseason commences, but it is understandable. Lance is still under contract through at least 2024, and the fifth-year option could extend that one more season. The 23-year-old did not explore a change-of-scenery trade this offseason, and San Francisco was not active in seeking a potential trade partner. Further evaluating Lance – something which will of course only be possible if he is able to remain healthy for an extended stretch, something which has proven difficult at multiple levels of his football career – would be a logical course of action benefitting player and club.
Maiocco added that Darnold and Lance can be described as being on “equal footing” with respect to the upcoming QB2 competition. The former has had an underwhelming NFL career to date with the Jets and Panthers, and much remains to be seen regarding his abilities while surrounded by the 49ers’ impressive skill-position group. Regardless of how the summer unfolds, the team’s opinion of Lance will be worth monitoring closely.
Not sure why they wouldn’t be interested in him. He was injured. I’d say he needs a shot before writing him off.
because he couldn’t make the bubble screen pass to Deebo multiple times.
because the offense didn’t move while he was quarterback
because the way they use him, he’s getting hurt again
they effed up on Lance. Purdy checks all those boxes Lance doesn’t, while Darnold can prove to be just as “good” as Lance when the games start being played.
I am right. Any comments to the contrary will not be entertained.
We wouldn’t know who Brock purdy was if lance didn’t injure himself on a non contact play you dingus
High on something that’s for sure
I wouldn’t consider anyone on that QB depth chart as being more than a stop-gap option. They need to go back to the draft and take another shot at finding a long term solution. What they have currently is a potential train wreck if injuries become a problem. There would certainly be some irony here if Jimmy G ended up getting the last laugh.
Purdy is a flash in the pan. He’s too small to hold up in this league. It’s very sad that Carson Wentz probably has more talent than anyone else on SF depth chart
GMs rarely expect the last player drafted to survive training camp cuts much less earn a starting role on their team.
He’s not good, he’s played far too little football since high school to have been drafted let alone so high for such a haul.
There is no substitute for experience and Lance just doesn’t have any. It is therefore impossible to accurately assess his ability to play in this league. It speaks volumes, however, that Mr. Irrelevant could run the 49er offense and this kid couldn’t.
Lance could be a sleeper but If a 1st round pick isn’t getting opportunities to gain experience by the time his third season rolls around, there is usually a pretty good reason.
They must have been very “high” when they decided to draft a guy 3rd overall when he was merely a guy worth taking a chance on in the 3rd round.