San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York and Frank Gore remain close. The NFL running back spent his first 10 seasons with the Niners and York values his opinion. So, when San Francisco traded up to the No. 3 overall pick, York reached out to Gore to seek his opinion on Trey Lance of North Dakota State, the quarterback the 49ers would end up drafting on Thursday night.
York didn't hear back for weeks. That changed on Tuesday night, the day before general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan said they informed their boss, the man who signs their checks, that they had reached a consensus on Lance.
"CALL ME," read a text from an exuberant Gore.
After a deep-dive into Lance's film, Gore was impressed by the young quarterback.
"You don't give up all that for a pocket passer," Gore told Trotter. "You don't give up all that and still need to call a perfect play for a guy. This guy can make plays even when the call ain't perfect. He has a chance to be special in that offense."
Gore, a five-time Pro Bowler, remains a free agent after spending last season with the New York Jets.
As for Lance, York has confidence that the young quarterback has all the tools to flourish with Shanahan as his teacher.
"There's nobody I'd rather put a rookie, young quarterback in the hands of than Kyle," York said.
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