Scott Clark
Aug 24, 2023 - 01:15

Kyle Shanahan, 49ers Head Coach, Unwilling to Trade Promising QB Trey Lance

The San Francisco 49ers are considering trading quarterback Trey Lance after he lost the backup QB job. Coach Kyle Shanahan hopes Lance stays.

The San Francisco 49ers are facing a crucial decision regarding their quarterback, Trey Lance, after he lost the backup position to Sam Darnold, who will be supporting starter Brock Purdy.

There have been reports suggesting that the 49ers are open to exploring all options with Lance, including a potential trade involving the third overall pick of the 2021 draft. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his reluctance to part ways with Lance in an interview with Adam Copeland and Tom Tolbert on KNBR in San Francisco. Shanahan emphasized his hope that Lance will remain with the team for Week 1.

Shanahan spoke highly of both Darnold and Lance, stating that he feels fortunate to have both quarterbacks on the roster. He expressed his desire to have all three quarterbacks, including Lance, available as options for the team. Shanahan praised Lance's character and predicted his future success in the league.

The 49ers may not have much choice but to retain Lance, which means that Shanahan must continue to publicly support the young quarterback. Despite rumors of potential trade talks with other teams, there has been no significant progress in that regard. The Minnesota Vikings have been mentioned as a possible suitor, as they had discussions with the 49ers about a Lance trade during the offseason.

Keeping Lance on the team could prove beneficial for the 49ers in the long run, especially in 2023. If Lance doesn't see much playing time, the team can consider trading him in the offseason. However, if he does get the opportunity to play, it could be a chance for him to develop and improve, something he didn't have in his first two years.

While a trade could still happen, it appears that Shanahan is not in a rush to part ways with Lance simply for the sake of it. His reluctance to push Lance out of the team may be a deciding factor in keeping him around.