Trey Lance started just two games last season, his rookie campaign with the San Francisco 49ers. He is poised to take over for the team's starter of the past four-and-a-half seasons, Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 49ers have reached the Super Bowl with Garoppolo helming the offense. In addition, the team has twice appeared in the NFC Championship Game over the past three seasons. The roster remains stacked with talent, so there are lofty expectations internally—and for many externally.
Lance is just 22 years old, so some will caution fans to temper their expectations. Lance could have a shockingly great first year as a starter. However, it's more likely that there will be some growing pains through the course of the season.
On Friday, Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young joined KNBR and explained why the 49ers shouldn't lower their expectations just because they have a relatively inexperienced quarterback set to lead the offense.
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"The good news is you have a great team, and I believe the most innovative offense in the league," Young responded on the Tolbert & Copes show when asked what defines a successful 2022 season for Lance. "… With that, a roster that can go—sign Deebo [Samuel] and get everyone back—a roster that can go to the Super Bowl. With that in mind, that's the expectation.
"So now, the referendum comes down on you as the quarterback. You have a Super Bowl team. What's a successful season? I think that we should take the season and say it's a disappointment if we don't go the distance. I think we have to have that in our mindset. It doesn't happen every year.
"We've seen for the last 25, you don't win the Super Bowl every year, even over decades. But I think you have to have that in mind because that's who this team is, and I think that's who these coaches are. I think they brought in Trey because they think it's the extra step to get to that Super Bowl championship."
Young has previously said he had discussions with Lance and has praised the young quarterback's potential and ability to absorb information. He believes Lance should welcome the challenge of lofty expectations.
"I think Trey should embrace that," Young said. "'Look, they expected me to be great, so let's go be great.'… That's a hard ask for a young player that hasn't played a lot, so we get that. But I don't think we should just say, 'Oh, let's just throw away the season,' or, 'A successful season is 9-8.'… I'd rather just say what it is. We have a Super Bowl team, and let's do it. And Trey should embrace that."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Young below.