49ers 'underwhelmed' by Trey Lance's development

Is San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance not yet living up to the team's lofty expectations? Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

49ers reportedly 'underwhelmed' by Trey Lance's development

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/5/22

There continue to be multiple theories put out there for why the San Francisco 49ers haven't yet traded veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as 2021 rookie Trey Lance presumably prepares to become the club's new starter.

Garoppolo is still recovering from the March surgery he needed to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder and, thus, may not be moved until he can resume throwing in either late June or early July. Just last week, a report claimed the 49ers likely want a second-round draft pick for Garoppolo but are willing to wait and examine Lance's readiness to be a QB1 for a perceived Super Bowl contender, if necessary.

That was neither the first nor last time a story has suggested some within the Niners question if Lance can routinely win at the highest level beginning in September.

On Thursday, NFL insider Matt Lombardo tweeted that Lance hasn't yet proven himself to be all that better than Garoppolo, if at all, in the eyes of those who matter.

I have heard that the #49ers’ staff has been continually underwhelmed by Trey Lance … https://t.co/BfypDIHzXo
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) May 5, 2022

It was back in February when ESPN's Adam Schefter said that "Lance was probably further behind than people realized" during his debut pro season, and The Athletic's Jeff Howe later speculated the 49ers could use the summer months to further evaluate Lance if no would-be buyer met their asking price for Garoppolo's services.

During a podcast episode released before the NFL Draft, San Francisco All-Pro tight end George Kittle explained he was "kind of 50-50" about who he'd rather have start between Garoppolo and Lance.

"Jimmy, he's a fantastic leader. We almost won a Super Bowl. We've been to the NFC Championship twice in three seasons," Kittle said at that time. "And then you look at Trey—I think Trey's got one of the highest ceilings I've ever seen before. Some of the things you see him do on the football field, you're like, 'Holy cow. I can't wait until he throws me passes.'"

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