Sean Payton: 49ers will soon replace Trey Lance with Jimmy Garoppolo

San Francisco 49ers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice isn't going to like what former New Orleans Saints head coach and current analyst Sean Payton had to say about the ongoing debate regarding if the Niners should already replace second-year quarterback Trey Lance with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in the starting lineup. 

Rice publicly went to bat for Lance on multiple occasions this week after the 22-year-old completed just 13-of-28 pass attempts for 164 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in monsoon-like conditions during this past Sunday's 19-10 loss at the Chicago Bears. Per Tom Dierberger of NBC Sports Bay Area, Payton offered a much different take on the 49ers' quarterback situation during an appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd." 

"I think, and I believe, don’t kid yourself, that we’re gonna see Garoppolo back in that lineup," Payton explained. 

Before the season's opening weekend, Hall of Famer and ESPN "Monday Night Football" analyst Troy Aikman noted that San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch can't forget this team is "built to win right now." Payton echoed that remark while acknowledging the 49ers moved up in the 2021 NFL Draft to grab Lance with the third overall pick. 

"So here’s the pickle if you’re John and if you’re Kyle," Payton said, according to David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "You drafted this kid so high, right? And man, it's hard to sell to the guy upstairs writing the check. Our little binky, our blanket, is Garoppolo, right? [They'll say], 'But we're going to start [Lance]. We're committed to starting him.' But at some point, [we have] the rest of the roster sitting there, ready to win." 

The 0-1 49ers host the division-rival Seattle Seahawks (1-0) this Sunday for what some are already viewing as a make-or-break matchup as it pertains to Lance's immediate playing future.