The San Francisco 49ers are exploring options with Trey Lance, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who said a trade is “one possible solution.”
The former No. 3 overall pick is seemingly on the outs in San Francisco after Brock Purdy was named the 49ers starter, with former Jets and Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold being named the team’s backup on Wednesday.
The #49ers are naming Sam Darnold their No. 2 quarterback and the team is exploring options with Trey Lance, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Darnold will back up Brock Purdy, while the future of Lance — the No. 3 overall pick in 2021 — is unclear. pic.twitter.com/HxXQkfM6nq
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 23, 2023
Lance has often been rumored as a potential trade target for the Vikings. The Marshall, Minnesota native played collegiately for North Dakota State before being taken third overall in the 2021 draft after the 49ers traded up.
Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport was quick to link the Vikings as a possible destination on Wednesday. The Vikings have Kirk Cousins under center but he’s only been signed to a one-year extension.
As the #49ers weigh options for Trey Lance, calling his hometown team, the #Vikings (who were a rumored destination before the Draft) makes sense. Nothing is impossible, but MIN has a backup in Nick Mullens and drafted rookie QB in Jaren Hall. Post-draft, these deals are harder.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 23, 2023
Michael Silver, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reported earlier this year that the 49ers might not be able to get more than a third round pick for Lance. That price would presumably drop after not being named the teams starter or backup heading into the 2023 season.
Related: Is a Kirk Cousins for Trey Lance trade still a possibility?
The 23-year old started the 2022 season as the 49ers starting quarterback, but broke his ankle in week two ushering in the chance for Purdy to eventually take over and impress. Purdy went 6-0 to close out the season and helped guide the 49ers to the NFC Championship game.
The 6-foot-4, 224-pound QB has all the tools that teams are looking for in a modern quarterback but has been unable to stay healthy enough in his two years in the NFL to display his talent.
Is the potential upside and low buying price enough to interest the Vikings?
“If the 49ers were willing to give him away for a late round pick maybe it’s worth a flier but QBs who bust this quickly rarely end up turning out to be anything so the Vikings should probably just stay the course at QB,” Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller said to Bring Me The Sports.
