The Falcons are sure to be involved with multiple quarterbacks this offseason. Lamar Jackson and Derek Carr are some popular names among fans, and there’s always the possibility that Atlanta ends up sticking with Desmond Ridder. Still, there’s an under-the-radar candidate fans may not be considering — San Francisco’s Trey Lance, the 3rd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
It’s obvious the Falcons were smitten with Lance leading into the 2021 Draft. They were at all of his workouts, and there were a lot of rumors that he would have been the pick at #4 if San Francisco didn’t make a blockbuster trade with Miami to move up to the 3rd pick. However, Jimmy G re-discovered himself in 2022 before injury, and Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy is leading the 49ers into the playoffs. Could San Francisco attempt to recoup some draft picks and sell Lance at a discount?
The answer is a short one — probably not. Lance is still very valuable, and the 49ers gave up a king’s ransom for him. He’s on a cheap contract, but so is Purdy. The key would likely be Purdy leading the 49ers to a Lombardi, which isn’t out of the question. The Falcons would probably get Lance at a much lower cost, but he comes with some risk. He has battled leg injuries in his young career and hasn’t exactly played lights out. Lance is pretty much a draft pick at the position, but he has had some seasoning in a Shanahan offense.
Trey Lance 2021: 41-71 (57.7%), 603 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT, 38 carries, 168 yards, 1 TD (6 Games, 2 Starts)
Trey Lance 2022: 15-31 (48.4%), 194 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 16 carries, 67 yards (2 Games, 2 Starts)
I don’t know if Lance will be available, or if the Falcons will be interested. However, if they are, I think it’s an idea that’s absolutely worth entertaining if you’re Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot.
Photographer: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire
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