NFL Rumors: San Francisco 49ers QB Trey Lance Has Chance to Win Starting Job

The San Francisco 49ers haven't given up on their 2021 third-overall draft pick. Speaking with the media on Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested that quarterback Trey Lance has a chance to regain QB1 duties as Brock Purdy recovers from injury.

Good summary quote from Kyle Shanahan on the 49ers' wide-open, anyone's-guess QB situation — thanks largely to Brock Purdy injury uncertainty and the untapped potential SF sees in both Trey Lance and Sam Darnold: pic.twitter.com/ngmsYlKZSx
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) March 28, 2023

Purdy is recovering from a UCL tear suffered during the 49ers' NFC Championship game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was one of the league's most pleasant surprises in his rookie season, winning his first seven career starts while managing an impressive 107.3 passer rating over 170 regular season passes. Unfortunately, his availability for training camp (and even the beginning of the season) is in doubt.

Lance has seen extremely limited action since coming into the league as the 49ers' franchise quarterback of the future, totalling 797 passing yards and 235 rushing yards in eight appearances over his two seasons. He should still possess all the traits and qualities that made him worthy of a massive trade-up in the first place, but he's entering a critical year. If he can't wrestle the starting job away from Purdy this season, he may have to find an opportunity elsewhere.