The positive reports surrounding the No. 3 overall pick in last year's NFL Draft keep pouring out from Santa Clara. There was a lot of chatter about the San Francisco 49ers having doubts about second-year quarterback Trey Lance as he prepares to become the team's full-time starter. That chatter lessened once the offseason program kicked off, and reporters got closer looks at the quarterback's progress.
A new report from NBC Sports Bay Area states that Lance's throws this offseason look much improved compared to last season.
"Sources close to the quarterback have shared with NBC Sports Bay Area that now, with a fully recovered finger, Lance's passes are noticeably 'more crisp and tighter,'" wrote Jennifer Lee Chan.
Lance started just two games last season, and was playing through a finger injury he sustained during the preseason. The quarterback told reporters in May that his finger has since fully healed. It just required time to heal, not offseason surgery.
"I kind of dealt with my finger throughout the season, so for me, it was kind of getting that back, and getting healthy, and feeling back to myself," Lance said. "Like, towards the end of the season, I wasn't the best version of myself overall. ... And I think the finger, for me, was the biggest thing just as far as throwing the ball. I kind of had to learn to throw the ball differently without kind of using my pointer finger, I guess because of just where it was at throughout the year. But now, I feel like I'm in a great spot, health-wise, and throwing the ball wall, and feeling really good."
With Garoppolo sidelined after his March 8 shoulder surgery and the 49ers hoping to trade the veteran quarterback ahead of the 2022 season, Lance has been taking most of the first-team reps through organized team activities and last week's minicamp.
The source told NBC Sports Bay Area that Lance's throws have "quite a bit more velocity" compared to those coming out of Garoppolo's hands, adding that Lance now throws a "slightly more accurate deep ball" now that he is fully healed.
The young quarterback is also among the players remaining at the team facility this week after the offseason program ended last Wednesday.
Trey Lance threw just 71 pass attempts during his rookie campaign, completing 41 for 603 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. The quarterback also scored a rushing touchdown.