The Rise and Fall of Trey Lance: A Cautionary Tale
When Trey Lance's name was called as the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, it symbolized a hopeful future not only for him but for the San Francisco 49ers’ fan base. The franchise believed they were on the verge of reclaiming their Super Bowl glory, and they sacrificed significant resources—three first-round picks—to secure a player they envisioned as the missing piece in their championship puzzle.
Despite the anticipation, Trey Lance’s story in San Francisco quickly evolved into one marked by disappointment and questions surrounding his potential.
To understand the need for a new quarterback, one must first reflect on the roller-coaster that was Jimmy Garoppolo’s tenure with the 49ers. Garoppolo joined the 49ers mid-season in 2017, showcasing his potential by winning five of their last six games, a performance that led them to hand him a lucrative contract despite his limited experience.
In the years that followed, his performances fluctuated dramatically—punctuated by severe injuries in both 2018 and 2020. Nevertheless, it was Garoppolo’s 2019 season that led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where they faced the Kansas City Chiefs. The lingering memory of Garoppolo’s missed opportunity to deliver a game-winning pass added to the growing sentiment that he wasn’t entirely reliable.
This flawed perception compelled the 49ers to take a significant gamble on Lance, a quarterback with raw talent but minimal playing time at the college level.
The Selection of Trey Lance
The decision to select Trey Lance was as bold as it was risky. With only 17 college starts and a limited passing attempt record, Lance’s inexperience raised eyebrows. His time at North Dakota State was impressive, though—he went an entire season without throwing an interception and displayed a rare dual-threat capability. This excitement was enough for the 49ers to trade up in the draft, despite the notable comparisons to more seasoned quarterbacks.
However, the lack of experience was an incipient concern that would haunt the organization during Lance's initial years.
As the season began, it became clear the 49ers intended to let Lance develop behind Garoppolo, resulting in limited opportunities on the field. Despite brief flashes of his potential during limited playtime—such as scoring touchdowns on his first two touches—his early outings displayed noticeable flaws. He struggled with accuracy, mechanical consistency, and decision-making, leading to a challenging debut season.
In his first NFL start against the Arizona Cardinals, Lance’s rawness resurfaced dramatically. Despite showing elusiveness and some noteworthy plays on the ground, he ended the game with an adverse ratio of completions to attempts and threw an interception. After a couple of attempts to establish some rhythm, Lance found himself benched once again when Garoppolo returned from injury.
The Rise of Brock Purdy
The following season, with Lance being given the reins, optimism turned to despair when he suffered a severe ankle injury just minutes into his first game. His season ended abruptly, and Garoppolo stepped back in, until he, too, sustained injury, leading to the emergence of Brock Purdy.
Purdy’s transformative performances soared the 49ers to yet another NFC Championship Game, raising questions about what could have been had Lance developed further in his starting role. For an organization that traded significant capital for a top-tier quarterback, seeing their Super Bowl run seemingly unscathed by that decision played into a mounting sense of frustration among fans and analysts alike.
Lance's final season with the 49ers may have been his most critical, yet it was defined by the shadow of his predecessor. Kyle Shanahan's comments during the 2023 preseason indicated the lack of faith in Lance despite Purdy recovering from elbow surgery. The team’s decision to trade Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick indicated their desire to cut ties and reassess their quarterback strategy.
His journey continued in Dallas, illustrating a turbulent relationship with success. Despite showing flashes of promise in the preseason, over-extended decisions often overshadowed his potential. Now, ranked third on the Cowboys' depth chart, Lance's future remains uncertain as he navigates yet another uphill battle to reclaim his once-promising career.
The narrative surrounding Trey Lance serves as a poignant reminder of the risks affiliated with investing heavily in unproven talent. Talent and athleticism may reside within him, yet the question of whether he can harness that potential in a competitive landscape hangs in the balance. As the NFL evolves, so too does the scrutiny of every decision, especially those tied to the quarterback position.
Lance’s story is not over, but with a mere five NFL starts to his name in four years, one can only wonder if he will ever fulfill the expectations set forth when his name was called at the draft. For 49ers fans and observers, this saga continues to ignite discussions about what could have been, leaving an air of uncertainty for the time ahead.
Part 1/8:
The Rise and Fall of Trey Lance: A Cautionary Tale
When Trey Lance's name was called as the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, it symbolized a hopeful future not only for him but for the San Francisco 49ers’ fan base. The franchise believed they were on the verge of reclaiming their Super Bowl glory, and they sacrificed significant resources—three first-round picks—to secure a player they envisioned as the missing piece in their championship puzzle.
Despite the anticipation, Trey Lance’s story in San Francisco quickly evolved into one marked by disappointment and questions surrounding his potential.
The Jimmy Garoppolo Era
Part 2/8:
To understand the need for a new quarterback, one must first reflect on the roller-coaster that was Jimmy Garoppolo’s tenure with the 49ers. Garoppolo joined the 49ers mid-season in 2017, showcasing his potential by winning five of their last six games, a performance that led them to hand him a lucrative contract despite his limited experience.
In the years that followed, his performances fluctuated dramatically—punctuated by severe injuries in both 2018 and 2020. Nevertheless, it was Garoppolo’s 2019 season that led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where they faced the Kansas City Chiefs. The lingering memory of Garoppolo’s missed opportunity to deliver a game-winning pass added to the growing sentiment that he wasn’t entirely reliable.
Part 3/8:
This flawed perception compelled the 49ers to take a significant gamble on Lance, a quarterback with raw talent but minimal playing time at the college level.
The Selection of Trey Lance
The decision to select Trey Lance was as bold as it was risky. With only 17 college starts and a limited passing attempt record, Lance’s inexperience raised eyebrows. His time at North Dakota State was impressive, though—he went an entire season without throwing an interception and displayed a rare dual-threat capability. This excitement was enough for the 49ers to trade up in the draft, despite the notable comparisons to more seasoned quarterbacks.
However, the lack of experience was an incipient concern that would haunt the organization during Lance's initial years.
The Inevitability of the Bench
Part 4/8:
As the season began, it became clear the 49ers intended to let Lance develop behind Garoppolo, resulting in limited opportunities on the field. Despite brief flashes of his potential during limited playtime—such as scoring touchdowns on his first two touches—his early outings displayed noticeable flaws. He struggled with accuracy, mechanical consistency, and decision-making, leading to a challenging debut season.
Part 5/8:
In his first NFL start against the Arizona Cardinals, Lance’s rawness resurfaced dramatically. Despite showing elusiveness and some noteworthy plays on the ground, he ended the game with an adverse ratio of completions to attempts and threw an interception. After a couple of attempts to establish some rhythm, Lance found himself benched once again when Garoppolo returned from injury.
The Rise of Brock Purdy
The following season, with Lance being given the reins, optimism turned to despair when he suffered a severe ankle injury just minutes into his first game. His season ended abruptly, and Garoppolo stepped back in, until he, too, sustained injury, leading to the emergence of Brock Purdy.
Part 6/8:
Purdy’s transformative performances soared the 49ers to yet another NFC Championship Game, raising questions about what could have been had Lance developed further in his starting role. For an organization that traded significant capital for a top-tier quarterback, seeing their Super Bowl run seemingly unscathed by that decision played into a mounting sense of frustration among fans and analysts alike.
A Challenging Path Forward
Part 7/8:
Lance's final season with the 49ers may have been his most critical, yet it was defined by the shadow of his predecessor. Kyle Shanahan's comments during the 2023 preseason indicated the lack of faith in Lance despite Purdy recovering from elbow surgery. The team’s decision to trade Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick indicated their desire to cut ties and reassess their quarterback strategy.
His journey continued in Dallas, illustrating a turbulent relationship with success. Despite showing flashes of promise in the preseason, over-extended decisions often overshadowed his potential. Now, ranked third on the Cowboys' depth chart, Lance's future remains uncertain as he navigates yet another uphill battle to reclaim his once-promising career.
Looking Ahead
Part 8/8:
The narrative surrounding Trey Lance serves as a poignant reminder of the risks affiliated with investing heavily in unproven talent. Talent and athleticism may reside within him, yet the question of whether he can harness that potential in a competitive landscape hangs in the balance. As the NFL evolves, so too does the scrutiny of every decision, especially those tied to the quarterback position.
Lance’s story is not over, but with a mere five NFL starts to his name in four years, one can only wonder if he will ever fulfill the expectations set forth when his name was called at the draft. For 49ers fans and observers, this saga continues to ignite discussions about what could have been, leaving an air of uncertainty for the time ahead.