The Trey Lance experiment has come to an end for the San Francisco 49ers with little fanfare. The team has announced that Lance will be the third-string quarterback behind Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold. Lance was allowed to leave the team after receiving the news. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his desire to keep Lance, but it seems that a trade is now inevitable.
In reality, the decision to move forward with Purdy and Darnold was made before this year’s draft. The Niners had quietly entertained offers for Lance, despite their denial. They wanted to see if there were better options available.
However, Lance was kept as a backup option for Purdy, who had undergone elbow surgery. With Purdy now fully recovered and Darnold showing promise, the Niners decided to let go of Lance. They understand the concept of a sunk cost and want to make the most of their assets.
The idea of Lance in Shanahan’s offense was exciting, but injuries and his lack of development hindered his progress. Purdy fits the system better, and with the talent the Niners have, there’s no need for experimentation. They have a strong offense and a skilled coach, so a reliable pocket distributor is all they need to be successful.
Lance still has potential and will find admirers elsewhere. He is young, athletic, and has room for growth. He needs playing time to gain experience, and the Niners cannot afford that luxury. A move to the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or New England Patriots could be beneficial for Lance.
There will be debates about whether the Niners made the right choice in drafting Lance. The price they paid was high, and they missed out on opportunities to acquire other established quarterbacks. Only time will tell if it was a wise decision or a costly mistake.
Overall, the Lance experiment has come to an end, but there is still hope for his future. The Niners will have to confront the consequences of their choices and see if they made the right call in the long run.