49ers HC Kyle Shanahan explains QB Trey Lance not being a captain

Those associated with the San Francisco 49ers seemingly never even considered holding a quarterback competition at any point this spring or summer. 

2021 rookie Trey Lance served as QB1 throughout offseason workouts as veteran Jimmy Garoppolo recovered from March shoulder surgery and as general manager John Lynch attempted to trade the 30-year-old signal-caller before his base salary for 2022 became guaranteed. No team offered anything of note for Garoppolo's services, and he ultimately accepted a pay cut to remain with the 49ers as their backup. 

Even though Lance is cemented atop the depth chart heading into Sunday's regular-season opener at the Chicago Bears, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed on Wednesday that the 22-year-old was not among the six players named team captains. According to David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, Shanahan said that Lance finished seventh in voting for the spots. 

"I just didn't want to put seven on there," Shanahan remarked. "Deebo (Samuel) was eight. ... We just wanted to go with six. They don't allow eight to the coin toss, I don't believe. It's also his first year of starting for us. There's not many rookies who end up being the captains. I know this is his second year, but he's a rookie for us in terms of this is his first time being our starting quarterback."

Lance attempted just 71 passes in his first NFL regular season. He completed 41 of those throws for 603 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. 

The second-year pro also spoke with media members on Wednesday and admitted that being a captain is a goal of his for the future. He added that he "voted for every single one of those guys" named a captain.