49ers DC DeMeco Ryans: QB Trey Lance making practices 'tough' for defense

The San Francisco 49ers may or may not trade veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo whenever he can resume throwing following the shoulder surgery he underwent in March. One thing known on the first day of June is that 2021 rookie Trey Lance is serving as the team's QB1 for organized team activities amid lingering questions, concerns and takes about his ability to guide the 49ers on a lengthy playoff run in his second NFL season.

According to David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans spoke with reporters Wednesday and made it clear Lance is already testing the team's defense. 

"I think Trey, he's done a great job," Ryans explained. "It's good to see him with his command and him running the offense. He's zipping it past us a lot, so he's making it tough on us.

"Trey has done a great job. It's good to see him just coming into his own role as a leader and being able to take control of the team. We're fired up for Trey and what he can do for us."

Meanwhile, safety Talanoa Hufanga, who is also entering his second pro campaign, added that Lance "has been tremendous" in these early practices.

"I think just kind of his guidance between his first year and his second year, just being a rookie with him, was awesome," Hufanga said. "Getting to see his insight as a quarterback, kind of see what they see and what they're looking for, and what he can do on the field is just outstanding.

"You love to go against that kind of competition each and every day. So, I'm excited to have him [on my team], and I'm just blessed to be on the same field as him."

The fact the 49ers haven't moved on from Garoppolo in one way or another may cause some to continue to voice their doubts regarding Lance's development. Those inside the building sound confident the 22-year-old will be ready, assuming head coach Kyle Shanahan names him the starter even if Garoppolo is stashed on the roster through the start of the regular season.