ESPN’s Chris Canty predicts Trey Lance and 49ers in Super Bowl

ESPN's Chris Canty, a former NFL defensive end, doesn't believe it will take long for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance to prove himself in the NFL. Canty is expecting an MVP-caliber season from the second-year player, and that's not all.

"I know you guys left me out of the bold prediction, but my bold prediction for this season is that the 49ers represent the NFC in the Super Bowl," Canty said on ESPN's GetUp. "That's how confident I am in this 49ers team and the development of Trey Lance, because of who's doing it—Kyle Shanahan—and what's around him—the supporting cast.

"You're talking about a top-five run game, a top-five skill-position core, and a top-five defense. All the elements are there for Trey Lance to be successful, and the thing that Trey Lance brings is a couple of new dimensions to the offense. The vertical passing game. We saw it in the preseason game with the bomb he threw to Danny Gray. And then the quarterback as a focal point of the running game."

All eyes were on Lance during the 49ers' preseason opener last week against the Green Bay Packers. The 22-year-old quarterback finished the game 4-of-5 for 92 yards, the touchdown to Gray, and a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Most expect San Francisco's offense to improve with a quarterback who can open up the deep passing game and improvise with his feet.

"Kyle Shanahan hasn't had either one of those things since he got to San Francisco," Canty continued. "So now, you're talking about giving one of the best play-callers, one of the most creative play designers, a weapon like this under center to go along with all the other weapons he has. Look out for the rest of the NFL. The 49ers are about to show up in a big way."