On Sunday morning, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport made Bay Area headlines by reporting that rookie quarterback Trey Lance "could be on the field in a key role soon" for the San Francisco 49ers. Of course, that was dependent on Jimmy Garoppolo's play against the Chicago Bears and whether or not the losses continue to mount for the 49ers.
Garoppolo looked good on Sunday, and the 49ers finally snapped their four-game losing streak. The veteran quarterback was 17 of 28 passing for 322 yards and a passer rating of 100.6. The performance may have bought Garoppolo some more time.
Lance did not play against the Bears, despite some expecting the 21-year-old quarterback to get in for a play or two. He was returning from a knee sprain suffered during Week 5.
"I knew, going in, he was going to be minimal," Rapoport said this morning on KNBR's Murph & Mac show. "I didn't realize no snaps. But [I figured] very little snaps and then, probably this week, maybe sprinkle in a little more as he gets better from that knee, and kind of use him in some moments, let him get acclimated. But the best-case scenario is he's just a bit player this year, and Jimmy Garoppolo leads the 49ers to the playoffs. And then you just pass off the torch [after the season].
"From what I understand, Trey Lance is expected to start this year, especially if the losses continue to come. If the 49ers win some games and get back in the playoffs, and sort of in the playoff conversation, then I think Jimmy will start out there. If they get to a point where the season is about the future and not the present, then Trey Lance will start, and the development will begin, and then that will be that.
"I think, more so than ever, they really would like to keep Jimmy out there when they are relevant."
Rapoport adds that he understands that fans are eager to see Lance on the field. The rookie represents the future. However, sometimes it is tough to endure the growing pains of starting a young quarterback. The NFL insider points to what is happening in New York. Jets fans are already turning on the No. 2 overall pick, Zach Wilson, after relatively-unknown quarterback Mike White led the team to a stunning victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rapoport likes how the 49ers are handling the development of their young quarterback, though.
"If they can win games and get themselves back on the right side of this thing, I like the idea of not pressuring Trey Lance," Rapoport said. "Just kind of using him in spots to get acclimated and ease his way into the NFL. It's a great idea. I don't know that they're going to have the luxury of doing that. If the losses stack up, then they probably won't.
"But if they win, I do appreciate the idea of handling the development carefully for a guy who's going to be around, hopefully, for them, 10 or 15 years."
Next up for San Francisco are the two teams fighting for the top spot in the NFC West — the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rapoport below.
