The 49ers are trying to make the most out of their fool’s gold with the failed Trey Lance experiment.
San Francisco announced Wednesday that former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold will back up QB1 Brock Purdy heading into the regular season, making Lance expendable.
It’s a shocking turn of events with Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, supplanting Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The 49ers mortgaged their future to trade up to No. 3 in 2021 to pick Lance, sending the Dolphins the No. 12 overall pick in 2021, first- and third-round picks in 2022 and a first-round pick in 2023.
Miami used those picks to build a playoff contender, sending the 2021 pick to the Eagles in a deal to move up to No. 6 overall and select wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
The Dolphins sent the 2022 first-round pick to the Chiefs in the Tyreek Hill deal and the 2023 first-round pick to the Broncos for linebacker Bradley Chubb.
The Dolphins ironically could be one of the teams interested in trading for Lance now that he appears done in San Francisco.
CBS Sports identified Miami as one of three potential Lance trade partners, in part because former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is now the Dolphins’ head coach and Tua Tagovailoa has reliability issues.
Behind door No. 2 is the Vikings, who have the aging Kirk Cousins, 35, entering the final year of his contract.
The Vikings and 49ers talked about a potential Lance trade earlier this year at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to Pro Football Talk.
Then there are the Rams, who also have a 35-year-old at quarterback with Matthew Stafford calling plays in the huddle.
What will it take for a team to trade for Lance?
In short, not much.
At least three league executives think the 49ers could get a third-round pick, and maybe even a second-rounder, according to The Athletic.
But others interviewed by The Athletic think a Day 3 pick ( a fourth-round pick or worse) is the likely price point.
Then there are a couple of execs who are “skeptical” that the 49ers would be able to get anything for Lance.
While hindsight is 20-20, the bottom line is the 49ers got fleeced for Lance and will be forced to sell him for a loss.
San Francisco can take solace in knowing they appeared to have struck gold with Purdy, last year’s Mr. Irrelevant as the final selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.