Kyle Shanahan created headlines last week when he declared that Trey Lance would play for the San Francisco 49ers this season. Of course, everyone already knew that, but Shanahan officially saying it was noteworthy.
That doesn't mean Lance will be the quarterback taking the field with the offense when the Niners face the Detroit Lions on September 12. Instead, that will likely be Jimmy Garoppolo. Shanahan has made that clear. However, we could see the rookie quarterback sprinkled into the offense here and there, running plays designed specifically for his unique athleticism.
Shanahan shared more about his plan to use Lance with SI's Albert Breer. The bottom line is that the head coach will utilize his rookie quarterback in any way that gives the 49ers a competitive edge.
"I think I can ride it out week-in and week-out, personally," Shanahan told Breer. "I think our guys trust us to make the right decision. It's cool being in a building where no one has an agenda, whether it's me, the GM, the owner. Everyone's on the same page, there's no pressure—Hey, you have to do this or You have to do that. And our players know that too, that's what's great about our place here. When players know you're on the same page with the personnel department, with the owner, then they don't really care. They just want to win.
"And I think when this is all said and done, there's gonna be two guys they believe will help us win and I think they'll trust us to make that decision, whether it's permanently, for one game, for a series or just a situation. We gotta balance that out right, though. It's tough to do, but it is as easy as 'How do you win the game?'"
Yes, Shanahan's guys trust him. That includes his quarterbacks, neither of whom have been in a situation like this before. That doesn't mean they aren't buying what Shanahan is selling to them. After all, it gives both of them a chance to contribute, and more important, Shanahan feels it gives the team its best chance to win. Everyone wants to be part of that vision.
"I've never been in a situation like that," Garoppolo told Breer. "I think at any level of football, you get two quarterbacks playing, it's tough. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there. There is the whole Taysom Hill thing in New Orleans, they were doing a version of that. There is a place for it. It's tough, but Kyle, he's a revolutionary guy, he's done some crazy s--- in the past, so you never know."
Lance's comments mirrored his mentor, adding, "I've never been in a situation like that. But whatever Coach Shanahan thinks is best to help this team win, I'm for it."
Everyone sounds all-in on the plan for 2021. Garoppolo, the more experienced quarterback with a firm understanding of the offense, will play. At times, so will Lance, the raw rookie who shows flashes of great potential.
Shanahan acknowledges that explaining the plan, wondering if everyone would buy-in, was a challenge. However, showing them exactly how it gave the team the best chance to win sold it.
"I think our quarterbacks trust that I'm like that," Shanahan added. "You can disagree, but it's hard to take it personally when it's like that. I hope we've got the right guys, the right team, and if they both keep getting better; it should be a good problem for me."