The surprising emergence of San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy has left many questioning the future of the team's former starter, Trey Lance. The Niners gave up a lot for the young quarterback, parting ways with multiple first-round picks as part of a package to move up in the draft to acquire Lance.
While it seems unlikely that San Francisco would do anything rash, like parting ways with the former No. 3 overall pick, some in the media believe that could happen.
"This Brock Purdy thing doesn't look like a fluke," NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently said on CBS Sports' The Zach Gelb Show. "They're going to want some veteran on that team, but I don't know how that all shakes out. Obviously, Trey Lance, do they trade him? Some people I've talked to in this league think they will."
La Canfora's comments were part of a conversation surrounding the possibility of Tom Bray landing with the 49ers. However, barring something unexpected like that, it's likely that the 49ers will keep Lance while letting Jimmy Garoppolo test free agency. That could create an interesting offseason competition between Lance and Purdy, with some believing that the latter has the upper hand given how seamlessly he stepped into the offense and kept the 49ers' win streak alive.
In a hypothetical world, what could the 49ers get for Lance should they consider moving on from the former No. 3 overall pick? It doesn't sound like it would be much, given what they gave up to acquire the young quarterback. Speaking with Pro Football Network's Adam H. Beasley, one NFL executive shared what he would be willing to pay for the 22-year-old quarterback.
"A former NFL general manager and current personnel executive told Pro Football Network that the price he'd be willing to pay for Lance is a second-round pick 'and something else,'" wrote Beasley.
Would that be enough for the 49ers to consider making a move? Probably not. Parting ways with Lance after just two seasons would mean admitting you made a costly mistake. And there is no evidence that the Niners have lost faith in Lance. He was the Week 1 starting quarterback despite San Francisco opting to bring back Garoppolo just before the season. Lance was sidelined in Week 2 with a season-ending ankle injury but is expected to be ready for the 49ers' offseason program.
The team is in an intriguing situation. Coaches have confidence in both Lance and Purdy. If a quarterback battle breaks out this offseason, San Francisco will end up with a starter and a backup that it believes in, with both being on rookie contracts.
