It has been two years since Trey Lance signed a lucrative rookie deal worth $34,100,000 with the 49ers. It didn’t come as a surprise as the youngster was regarded as a highly talented signal-caller. However, the star QB has now been reportedly relegated to the fate of a third-string QB.
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As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter in The Pat McAfee Show, Lance now sits behind both Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold in the team’s hierarchy.
This unexpected demotion raises concerns about his future prospects. Even more disheartening for him is the fact that there was never much chatter among teams about trading for him. This means that just two years after signing a mammoth rookie deal worth over $34 million, he might have no other option but to play the role of the backup to the QB1’s backup in the coming season.
Some notes from @AdamSchefter on the #49ers QB situation:
– There’s was never a real trade market for Trey Lance. Not much interest. Doesn’t foresee him getting traded anytime soon.
– Brock Purdy is QB1 when healthy.
– Team likes Sam Darnold a lot and Schefty says he’s likely…
— uSTADIUM App (@uSTADIUM) June 22, 2023
Trey Lance has had a rather rough time since he entered the deal. It is not because he lacked talent or fortitude, but because he has been marred by unfortunate injuries. He only secured a meager 102 pass attempts in his first two seasons, inhibited by a fractured right index finger in 2021 and a fractured right ankle in 2022.
On the other hand, Brock Purdy’s sudden rise has been simply unbelievable. Not long ago, Purdy made it to the top spot on the NFLPA 2023 Rising Stars Veterans List, after putting up some scintillating performances in San Francisco colors. It goes without saying that Purdy’s eight-game run as the 49ers’ starter last season sealed the deal for him. However, while Lance might have been pushed down the ranks by the 49ers, simply writing him off at this point won’t be right.
What’s in Store For Trey Lance?
During his college stint, the QB proved how effective and consistent he can be under pressure. Before entering into the league, Lance was the one to lead the Bison to the 2020 NCAA Division I Football Championship.
He even won the Walter Payton Award (FCS’s most outstanding offensive player) for the game, besides securing the MVP tag. He also received the Jerry Rice Award (FCS’s best freshman), thus making him a star starter. Lance had made a dropout decision to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. He was eventually picked up by the 49ers for whom he began as a second-string QB in 2021.
However, his journey post NFL selection hasn’t been a memorable one thus far and if we go by Schefter’s report, things are only going to get worse in the near future for the QB.
