Trey Lance seems to have a lot of doubters this offseason. Many are questioning his readiness to be the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, the team that drafted him No. 3 overall last year.
George Kittle is not one of Lance's doubters.
Yes, the All-Pro tight end acknowledges that there could be some growing pains for the young quarterback this season. Lance, after all, started only two games as a rookie and played just 178 snaps. Kittle also realizes the talent level of the 49ers roster. That talent could carry the second-year passer should there be any early struggles.
"If that's how it shakes down, and Trey Lance is the starter, I'm excited about it," Kittle said Friday on The Rich Eisen Show. "The things that he brings to the table in his athleticism and his rocket-cannon of an arm, it's going to be really fun.
"And it also will be interesting to me. It's going to be a completely different quarterback than Jimmy [Garoppolo], who's great at his drop, has a quick release. Trey's going to be a little bit more exciting in the fact that he's going to be extending plays a lot longer, using his legs to make up some stuff."
In addition to his 603 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, and two interceptions, Lance also carried the football 38 times for 168 yards and a rushing score. By comparison, Garoppolo has carried the football 117 times for 182 rushing yards in five seasons with the 49ers.
"I'm looking forward to it because it feels like it's going to be a different offense with Trey at the helm," Kittle continued, "and it's something I'm looking forward to, and just the opportunities that come with that. It's going to be pretty exciting."
What does Kittle say to Lance's doubters?
"Last year, he was a 21-year-old rookie," Kittle shared. "He just needs reps, and he's getting those reps right now at OTAs. He's going to be throwing the ball a lot. And once he's comfortable with Coach Shanahan's system—because there's a lot going on [and] it's hard to quarterback [in it]—like I said, I'm excited to see Trey Lance play football because of the things I do see in practice, the throws that he does make, how he extends the plays, just his vision. It's going to be really fun.
"Whether there's growing pains or not, it's going to be a fun ride because of the things that he can do."