Ranking the best landing spots for demoted 49ers QB Trey Lance

He might not be worth more than a Day 3 draft pick, and any franchise thinking of trading a late-round pick would spend a lot more money on Lance than it would by keeping its pick. 

Players selected late in the draft make the rookie minimum ($750,000), whereas Lance's cap number is $20.2M for the next two seasons.

Is it worth it to pay that kind of money for Lance to be a backup when teams could draft another project at quarterback in the fifth round at a fraction of the cost? 

While it's difficult to know what kind of market he'll attract, some teams are bound to be interested. Here are his best landing spots, from least to most likely. 

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia already has one former first-round quarterback bust on its roster (Marcus Mariota), so adding another might seem surprising. Mariota has had a lot more opportunities to show he isn't starting quarterback material than Lance. This preseason, he's been outplayed by rookie Tanner McKee, an underrated prospect but not someone Philly should be eager to turn to if Jalen Hurts suffers an injury. Lance has more upside than Mariota and could be worth a look.

5. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs briefly turned to backup Chad Henne in last year's AFC Championship Game following an injury to Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City has questionable depth behind the NFL MVP. QB2 Blaine Gabbert is somehow still in the league. There may be no better environment for Lance than in Kansas City under Mahomes and future Hall of Famer Andy Reid, the head coach.

4. Denver Broncos

Sean Payton loves a project. He tried (and failed) to turn Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston into Drew Brees' permanent replacement in New Orleans, but that likely wouldn't stop him from wanting to make Lance his next reclamation project. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson may no longer be a viable starting quarterback. Denver must have a plan in case he shows further regression from last season's dismal performance.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs aren't going anywhere with Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask at quarterback. Lance would be a much more compelling option as Tampa Bay ventures into a post-Tom Brady world. Of all the teams in the NFL, the Bucs are the only one that clearly doesn't have a franchise quarterback on their roster. Lance could change that.

2. Miami Dolphins

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was Lance's offensive coordinator during his rookie year. While Lance spent that season behind Jimmy Garoppolo, their connection can't be overlooked. "My time with him, it was exciting," McDaniel said during an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" after being hired in Miami. Tua Tagovailoa's health is a concern and backup Mike White, whom the team signed during the 2023 offseason, is in the concussion protocol.

1. Minnesota Vikings

This year might be the last in Minnesota for Kirk Cousins, who will be a free agent after this season, so the Vikings could get a jump-start on finding his replacement by trading for Lance. 

Owner Mark Wilf said the organization's "focus is 100 percent on 2023," but it would be foolish to not have an eye toward the future. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported Wednesday the 49ers and Vikings had trade discussions involving Lance during the preseason. 

Justin Jefferson is due for a contract extension that should reset the wide receiver market, which actually makes Lance's price tag for next season more palatable. Cousins would cost significantly more. Minnesota could use a cost-controlled option to offset Jefferson's extension.