John Lynch's praise of 49ers QB Trey Lance rings hollow sans results

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch put a ton of stock into former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance.

Lance was supposed to be the future of the organization at quarterback. Instead, he couldn't beat out Jimmy Garoppolo — a decidedly average quarterback — and isn't expected to start over Brock Purdy in 2023, the 262nd pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Lynch's gamble to take Lance hasn't worked out so far, but that doesn't mean the general manager is giving up on his former first-round pick just yet. In fact, talking with the media on Monday, Lynch gushed about the young quarterback's offseason work ethic.

"A lot's been chronicled of him working with [private QB coach] Jeff Christensen, and there's all kinds of different gurus and specialists for these guys to go through," Lynch said on Monday, per 49ers Webzone. "I was really proud Trey took the initiative. I've talked with Trey. I won't get into the details because I'm not exactly sure on how it all happened, but I was proud that it was something that he sought out."

Working hard is one thing, but has Lance's work turned into results?

So far so good, according to Lynch.

"I think he's throwing the football a lot better. His base is better, some of his mechanics are better. Those things are showing up on the field. So I'm not just proud of him for his attitude and his leadership, his resiliency. I'm proud for what I'm seeing out there," Lynch said. "And I know there's been a lot of talk about the opportunities he's not getting. I'm proud of him for what he's doing with the opportunities he is getting. And there's a plan. He'll continue to earn these opportunities, and he'll have plenty to show who he is. He can't get enough, there's no doubt about that."

Again, that's all fine and dandy, but through Lynch's platitudes let's remember that he's talking about a No. 3 overall pick that is competing with another failed top quarterback pick — Sam Darnold — to be the No. 2 behind Purdy. Before the 2021 NFL Draft, Lynch traded multiple picks to move up nine spots from No. 12 overall draft Lance. 

One of those picks eventually became Micah Parsons (No. 12 overall in 2021 to the Dallas Cowboys), one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.