Insider disputes narrative surrounding 49ers QB Trey Lance

The 49ers’ quarterback depth chart (if fully healthy) will be much clearer when the regular season starts than it is now, as questions abound regarding the availability of starter Brock Purdy and the pecking order of Sam Darnold and Trey Lance. The latter in particular has become the focus of considerable speculation recently.

Lance has gone from clear-cut No. 1 to potential third-stringer over the course of less than one calendar year, with a report from last month indicating Darnold is believed to be the favorite for the backup role. Relegating the team’s 2021 third overall selection to emergency QB duties would of course be viewed as a significant drop in confidence on the team’s part.

However, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports provided a more optimistic view of the situation, based in large part on the uncertainty San Francisco has under center. During an appearance on KNBR’s "Murph & Mac" program, he countered the idea that the 49ers are prepared to move past the North Dakota State alum in favor of Purdy, Darnold or another passer on a long-term basis.

“I don’t think the 49ers have enough information to tell you who is in line to be the backup,” Maiocco said (h/t David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com). “I dispute the notion that the 49ers have soured on Trey Lance. I think… they like him now more than they ever have since they’ve had him with the 49ers, but they just don’t know how he would perform.”

Maiocco’s perspective will certainly be tested in the coming weeks when training camp and the preseason commences, but it is understandable. Lance is still under contract through at least 2024, and the fifth-year option could extend that one more season. The 23-year-old did not explore a change-of-scenery trade this offseason, and San Francisco was not active in seeking a potential trade partner. Further evaluating Lance — something that will, of course, only be possible if he is able to remain healthy for an extended stretch, which has proved to be difficult at multiple levels of his football career — would be a logical course of action benefitting player and club.

Maiocco added that Darnold and Lance can be described as being on “equal footing” with respect to the upcoming QB2 competition. The former has had an underwhelming NFL career to date with the Jets and Panthers, and much remains to be seen regarding his abilities while surrounded by the 49ers’ impressive skill-position group. Regardless of how the summer unfolds, the team’s opinion of Lance will be worth monitoring closely.