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Recently, San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould expressed confidence in second-year player Trey Lance as the team's starting quarterback in 2022.
"He's a lot more mature than people think and/or know," Gould told NBC Sports Bay Area. "... And I think you're going to see Trey Lance take the helm and be ready and more prepared."
Star linebacker Fred Warner is equally confident in Lance helming the 49ers' offense during the upcoming season, despite the quarterback being only 22 years old and lacking significant experience. Some doubt his readiness to lead the historic franchise.
"I continue to say, man, just how much I've admired the way Trey has taken on all the criticism, all ... the pressure people are trying to put on him," Warner told Rich Eisen on the Rich Eisen Show. "He's been super professional about it, especially with how young he is; very mature for his age.
"And so, just the things that you see from him and the small things that everybody else outside of the building sees from him, that should give you a good sense of the maturity for such a young player, and if given the reins, the way that he would handle it.
"I can continue to sit here and tell you how great of a person and player that he is. I've already spoken on that. But whatever it may be, I know that he is, for sure, if given the reins, that he's ready for it. He's very professional, and mature, and ready for whatever he is given."
Eisen asked Warner about his use of the words "if given the reins." Everyone assumes Lance will be the 49ers' Week 1 starter after sitting out most of last season and learning behind Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo is not expected to remain with the team.
"Kyle's (Shanahan) the brains of the operation," Warner responded. "I let him handle all that kind of stuff. My job as the middle linebacker for our defense is to make sure I'm ready to go and at the top of my game for this side of the ball, and let them handle that side. I know it's a big operation to operate as a team, and so I'm just making sure I'm doing my part in the puzzle."
Eager to get more information out of the linebacker, Eisen asked for an example of something that Lance has done this offseason to show Warner that he can be a good NFL quarterback.
"Just doing the little things right, working hard, keeping his head down, staying humble, not letting the outside criticism get to him," Warner shared. "I haven't seen him mention it one time. The times I've seen him having to approach the media, and the way that he goes about that, and letting them know that's not something he's worried about.
"He's worried about the opinion of his coaches and teammates, and just doing the little things right. I think that's what, ultimately, is going to allow him to be successful in this league."
The 49ers have a playoff-caliber roster, ready to help Lance in his transition to an NFL starting quarterback. As expected with any young quarterback, there will likely be bumps along the road. However, everyone sees the potential in the former No. 3 overall pick.
"He's fit in with the group since day one," Warner said. "I think he's come in with the right mindset, the humility. The front office continues to bring in guys that love the game. They love football. They are good people. And Trey's continued to work hard. And that's how you build respect amongst your teammates and your peers, is by putting in the work, day in and day out, and guys seeing that.
"And seeing that confidence build within him, going into his second year, being out there during OTA workouts and practices, continuing to do that in training camp, like I know he will, he for sure has the respect amongst his teammates."
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"Huge surprise," Warner said of learning that Armstead was being released. "Ever since I've been here, we called him the blueprint for how to be a Niner. That was the longest-tenured Niner that's been here and a guy that's done it right through and through."
Warner has been in the NFL long enough to understand how the league works. Over the years, he's watched several
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Acknowledging the support of the team's ownership, Lynch stated, "They believe in Kyle and I, and our
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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
