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San Francisco 49ers are all in on Trey Lance for 2022 season

By Brendan Danaher

August 14, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warm up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 14, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) warm up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco 49ers traded a significant amount of picks to get Trey Lance in 2021. He did not see the field much in 2021 but things are changing.

The San Francisco 49ers traded up for the #3 spot overall in the 2021 NFL Draft to select North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance.

In order to do so, the 49ers had to give up a significant amount of trade capital yet Lance was not the starter in 2021. He will be in 2022.

There was a significant amount of hype and expectation after the San Francisco 49ers parted away with so many future picks to select quarterback Trey Lance in the 2021 Draft.

The masses were surprised to find that in 2021 Lance would only start for two games and ended the season throwing for 603 yards, 5 touchdowns, and two interceptions. Jimmy Garoppolo would take the reins for the majority of the season as the starter as Lance dealt with various injuries.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan put it all on the table today declaring that the Jimmy Garoppolo era in the Bay area was over;

"“We have moved on to Trey,” Shanahan said. “This is Trey’s team. That’s nothing against Jimmy. We made that decision a year ago and we’re going with that. We’re not going to mess around with that anymore. Jimmy understands that fully. That’s a business decision and that’s what makes it not awkward. Jimmy knows we’re going with Trey. Trey knows we’re going with Trey and our team does, and everyone likes both of those guys.”"

The 2021 season truly belonged to Garoppolo as he led the team to the NFC Championship for the second time (ending in a loss) and Lance only saw the field if Garoppolo was injured.

There were specific plays drawn up for Lance; specifically, his first pass in the regular season which resulted in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Trent Sherfield.

The decision to go “all in” with Lance in his second season is a step the team has to make for Lance’s growth as a player and potential leader of the franchise.

With Lynch and Shanahan expressing their desire to ship Garoppolo out for a potential trade assures Lance that this is his team and he will be the leader for 2022.

The 49ers made their investment in Lance last year and it is time to see the investment yield some return.