The San Francisco 49ers drafted Trey Lance with the hope of developing him in a reserve role before making him the starting quarterback in 2022. With starter Jimmy Garoppolo struggling, it might not be long before the 49ers have to turn the page to the future.
Things started smoothly for the 49ers. San Francisco jumped out to a 2-0 start, climbing up NFL power rankings with Garoppolo playing well (70.91% completion rate, 111.4 passer rating). But between injuries and inconsistency, the wheels have come off the 49ers’ offense.
Entering Week 8 on a four-game losing skid, San Francisco is rolling with Garoppolo under center to face the Chicago Bears. But patience from head coach Kyle Shanahan and the entire organization is wearing thin, with a quarterback change increasingly possible.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday, Lance could be playing a key role in the 49ers’ offense soon. Furthermore, per multiple sources, there is an increasing belief the rookie will take over as the starter ‘sooner than later’ if the losses continue.
Rookie quarterbacks across the league are struggling in 2021. That may have helped convince Shanahan he was making the right call to keep Lance on the sideline. But with San Francisco slipping further down the NFL standings, long-term success and quarterback development could be pivotal factors in a looming decision.
Reps are the most important element for a young passer’s development. It’s even more crucial for Lance, who played in just one game during the 2020 college football season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If the 49ers want him to experience the growing pains of being an NFL quarterback, it’s better for that to happen in a lost 2021 season than a potentially meaningful 2022 campaign.
Coming off an injury, Lance isn’t going to see significant snaps in Week 8. But his ability to make plays with his legs and his arm strength add elements to the offense that aren’t possible with Garoppolo under center. As a result, with the rookie gaining more confidence and this team needing a spark, an increased role is likely.
The 49ers would have loved if Garoppolo played up to his 2019 form and helped this team contend for the NFC West. But both of those outcomes now seem unlikely, meaning it should only be a matter of weeks until Trey Lance becomes San Francisco’s starter.
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