San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance hype growing harder to dismiss

After selecting Trey Lance No. 3 overall, the San Francisco 49ers knew he would start eventually but the training camp hype continues to grow. 

Trey Lance was Kyle Shanahan’s guy. Though so much of the speculation after the San Francisco 49ers traded up to No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft was that they had done so to select Mac Jones, the North Dakota State product was who they wanted. However, with limited college experience — at the FCS level, no less — and with Jimmy Garoppolo still on the roster, the question of when Lance would take over under center was a bit cloudy.

For his part, Shanahan has been clear throughout the offseason that Garoppolo is the starter and he’ll bring Lance along as needed. But throughout offseason workouts and now the start of training camp, Lance has continued to turn heads time and again. Despite camp having been in stride for several days now, the rookie just threw his first interception in practice on Monday.

He’s also been checking every box. Peter King noted in his FMIA column this week that not only has Lance been drawing praise for his fearless approach on the field from both defenders and his pass-catchers but he’s also logged more time on his team-issued iPad watching film than any other player on the 90-man roster.

When asked about a possible quarterback battle between Lance and Garoppolo on Monday, though, Shanahan said they weren’t close to having a competition or to the rookie working with the first-team offense. But as Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee noted, “it’s hard to believe things aren’t trending in that direction.”

When will the San Francisco 49ers make Trey Lance the starter?

So the lingering question of when Trey Lance will be the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers remains. And Shanahan isn’t giving in on his stance that Jimmy G is the guy. Furthermore, in the same press conference, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he said that Lance would have to really surprise him to take the starting job by Week 1 against the Lions.

Having said that, we’re in the first week of training camp and more than a week away from Week 1 of the preseason and the narrative around Lance with the 49ers is already starting to shift. He’s gone from a raw, toolsy player to a guy that is increasingly looking ready to get more opportunities in practice, namely with the starting offense. That can’t be ignored.

Moreover, Lance will have plenty more chances to “surprise” his head coach. There are three preseason games and numerous more practices. Throw in the fact that Garoppolo could be an attractive trade target for a team like the Colts and the situation becomes even more complicated.

As of now, it’s hard to have full confidence that this whole thing will turn on its head and that Trey Lance will be the starter for the season-opener. While that’s true, everything we’re seeing and hearing does indicate that the rookie is going to take that job sooner rather than later.