Trey Lance Reveals A New Mindset In 2023
After suffering a gruesome ankle injury in Week 2 of the 2022 season that forced him to miss the rest of the campaign, Trey Lance appears to have a shot at regaining the starting quarterback spot for the San Francisco 49ers.
It’s widely assumed that once Brock Purdy returns from a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, he will remain the starter, but there is always a chance that won’t be the case.
Until he returns, Lance will reportedly share starting duties with Sam Darnold, whom the team picked up this offseason.
As OTAs begin, the North Dakota State University product says that he’s “having fun playing football again,” per David Lombardi.
“I finally feel like I’m having fun playing football again” — Trey Lance
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 23, 2023
Playing QB for the 49ers puts people under a microscope, as they’re one of the most accomplished teams in any pro sport, as well as one that plays in a pretty big market and has many fans outside of Northern California.
There have been big expectations for Lance ever since the team gave up four draft picks, including two first-rounders, to acquire the No. 3 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft that they used to take him.
He has played in just eight games so far in the pros, but he has been heavily scrutinized simply because San Francisco has put a big portion of their Super Bowl hopes on his shoulders.
As of now, Purdy, who was a rookie last season, is the more ready and proven commodity despite being the last player taken in the 2022 draft, but many feel Lance has a higher ceiling.