Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Earlier this week, San Francisco 49ers linebacker
Fred Warner revealed that he had to step in during practices this season and offer some advice to rookie quarterback Trey Lance. Lance, leading the scout team, was so focused on not making a mistake that he wasn't giving the defense the looks they needed. Unfortunately, the 21-year-old also wasn't learning from his mistakes because of his overcautious approach.
"I'll say there was a time when he maybe wanted to not make mistakes out there against us," Warner explained. "
He would hold onto the football, and he just likes to run and stuff. So I had to kind of pull him to the side and be like, 'Hey, Trey, listen. This is your time to make mistakes and to try to fit balls into tight areas, kind of just make it hard for yourself, go out there and just see what you can do. Because out here [on the practice field], it doesn't matter. You're not trying to win a game. You're trying to get better as a player.'"
Warner credited his conversations as being part of the reason why Lance has improved since we last saw him throw a pass on October 10 against the Arizona Cardinals. Warner has even gone as far as to say that Lance has been "dicing" up the defense in practices.
For the first time since October, the 49ers allowed Lance to speak with reporters. It makes sense. Most expect the rookie to start on Sunday against the Houston Texans due to Jimmy Garoppolo's thumb injury. Depending on the severity of that injury, we could see Lance start multiple games, possibly into the playoffs—assuming the 49ers reach the postseason. Although, San Francisco hasn't even officially eliminated Garoppolo's chances of playing on Sunday, listing him as "doubtful" on the game status report.
Lance was asked about those conversations with Warner and what he got from them.
"Yeah, we've had that conversation a couple times," Lance told reporters. "Sometimes maybe more heated than others. I don't necessarily want to say heated, but I'm a competitor. Fred's obviously one of the best competitors I've ever been around. And for him to care, not only about the look they're getting, but also my development, him kind of pulling me off to the side or maybe us shouting across the line of scrimmage, whatever it was.
"It's kind of finding a happy medium between giving those guys a look, obviously, and finding a way to make myself better. Not necessarily finding a happy medium, but finding a way to make myself better while giving those guys the looks. And even if it's throwing a ball that I necessarily don't want to throw, it's important for those guys, and obviously, I can get something out of it too. Finding a way to complete that pass."
Lance shared that he has learned a lot from running the scout-team offense, emulating other NFL quarterbacks. Sometimes that means mimicking a more versatile and mobile passer, like himself. Other times, it means stepping outside his comfort zone, avoiding the instant to run with the football, and staying within the pocket.
"I was Justin Fields when we played Chicago," Lance said. "Obviously, he can move. Then I went to play Kirk [Cousins]. I think I gain a lot from both of those. Obviously, I think our D-line is really good, so I appreciate it when I can play kind of how I play, and be off-schedule. But when I'm emulating for the defense a quarterback that doesn't move necessarily a lot, and doesn't play off-schedule, I think there's things that I gain from that, for sure.
"I get used to making different throws that I don't necessarily see myself making. But at the same time, it's good to get those reps."
Related News
Jeff Garcia has been impressed by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in his two seasons with the team. As the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy was thrust into the spotlight after the 49ers faced quarterback injuries and proved his NFL mettle.
While some doubts lingered after his rookie season, Purdy's resilience shone through. Despite starting only five regular-season games, he guided the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game, where, unfortunately, he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing arm. Garcia was among those who wondered whether Purdy could maintain his success into his second season.
Last year, coming off surgery, Purdy set a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards. His impressive performance
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
