Insider explains if 49ers will trade Trey Lance in 2023

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch insisted this week he doesn't have quarterback Trey Lance on the trade market. 

49ers insider Matt Barrows of The Athletic offered more information on Lance's status with the club on Thursday. 

Barrows wrote that "the 49ers need numbers more than anything else this season" at the position after Lance, former San Francisco starter Jimmy Garoppolo and 2022 rookie sensation Brock Purdy all suffered significant injuries this past campaign. 

Lance went down with a season-ending ankle issue in Week 2. A broken foot ended Garoppolo's season in Week 13, and Purdy then suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during the NFC Championship Game in January that could keep him out until some point this fall. 

Lynch made it known that Purdy is "probably the leader in the clubhouse" to eventually rise to the top of the depth chart when he's cleared to return to the active roster. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is also high on free-agency acquisition Sam Darnold, to the point that Shanahan reportedly will let Darnold compete with Lance this summer. Thus, it makes sense many are questioning Lance's future with the organization ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Along with San Francisco "needing numbers" at quarterback, Barrows mentioned that the 49ers are "probably not getting a huge haul for" Lance in any trade. Thus far, the 2021 first-round draft choice has made just four career regular-season starts and eight regular-season appearances. Lance has completed 56 of 102 total passes (54.9%) for 797 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. 

In short, Lance is worth more on the 49ers roster than on the trade market. 

"That’s why a 2024 trade seems a lot more likely than one in 2023," Barrows continued. "It would allow Lance to increase his value. And even then, the 49ers could conclude that having multiple, capable quarterbacks is more important than extra draft picks."