Eventually, Trey Lance will replace Jimmy Garoppolo to become the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback. The timing of that transition depends on the rookie's development and Garoppolo's ability (or inability) to stay on the football field.
Garoppolo missed 10 games last season and 23 over the past three. However, in his only complete season as a starter, the 49ers reached the Super Bowl. And had the veteran connected on one or two more fourth-quarter passes, he likely would have been named the game's MVP.
San Francisco sought to improve its quarterback depth and avoid the significant drop-off in play from Garoppolo to his backups that has plagued the team in recent years. The Niners traded up to select Lance at No. 3 overall.
Lance brings versatility to head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. One Sports Illustrated writer has "little doubt" that Lance, paired with a brilliant play designer like Shanahan, will have a big payoff in future seasons.
"Trey Lance will win a Super Bowl with the 49ers. I have very little doubt about this," wrote Conor Orr in a recent mailbag. "I think it will happen soon, quite possibly next year. Teams already have a difficult enough time stopping Kyle Shanahan's offense. It has evolved to the point where they have answers for almost anything a defense is going to throw at them and their running game, buoyed by offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, is the most maximized and well-understood system in the NFL."
While Garoppolo has a complete understanding of the offense and figures to be the starter when the 49ers kick off the regular season against the Detroit Lions in September, it is only a matter of time before we see the dynamic Lance take the field. He provides Shanahan with a quarterback who can beat you with his arm or legs.
"And now that everyone has spent an offseason figuring out how to crack the code (of Shanahan's offense), Lance can become a power rusher and destroy the math defensive coordinators have been working with for the last five years," Orr continued. "If you are in a dynasty fantasy league and do not pick Lance, I hope you enjoy finishing out of the money each and every year."