Ryan Harris, a former offensive lineman turned broadcaster and analyst, joined CBS Sports HQ to discuss the young quarterbacks of the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears. He was asked which passer—Trey Lance or Justin Fields—finds himself in the best situation. Harris' answer? Lance, who is on a roster coming off an NFC title game appearance.
However, there is one caveat to that answer.
"But I'm here to tell you, after people I've talked to, everyone I've spoken to expected Jimmy Garoppolo to start [Week 1 against the Bears]," Harris said.
There has been an offseason narrative that Trey Lance is not yet ready to step into the starting role for a team built to win now. Of course, those who follow the 49ers closely realize that if that narrative were true, the team probably wouldn't have been so eager to trade Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason. It's likely that the only reason he remains on the roster is because of the shoulder surgery he underwent on March 8.
Still, Harris insists he continues to hear the chatter about the team's doubt in Lance's readiness and says it's not just outside speculation.
"From players I've talked to and coaches I've talked to who are at the 49ers," Harris said, "Trey Lance is really leaving a lot to be desired in terms of the fitness of his arm, whether or not he can digest the playbook, and can really start to process the game at a high level.
"So breaking news for you, I believe it's going to be Jimmy Garoppolo in that game with the better structure around him and having Kyle Shanahan want to create the narrative Week 1 against the Bears."
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