Ian Rapoport stimulated San Francisco 49ers chatter today by reporting that the team is fielding calls from organizations inquiring about quarterback Trey Lance. However, it's worth noting that Rapoport clearly states that other NFL teams are calling the 49ers, not the Niners initiating the conversations.
Rapoport joined NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Andrew Siciliano, explaining why NFL teams contacting the 49ers makes a lot of sense.
"He was the No. 3 overall pick, someone who not just was number three, but someone the 49ers traded a boatload of picks to move up and get," Rapoport said on-air. "It has not worked out like I think anyone had planned. There's the injury, hasn't played a ton. Plus, Brock Purdy's emergence as the likely future franchise starter for the 49ers. Plus, they signed Sam Darnold in free agency, likely to serve as the backup."
While no trade is imminent, and the #49ers would almost certainly want to make sure Brock Purdy's rehab continues to go as smoothly as it's been going, the interest from other teams in Lance has been there. https://t.co/H29UL0iecw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 19, 2023
With Purdy not expected to be fully recovered from offseason surgery until sometime in September, it has been assumed that Lance would compete with Darnold to be the 49ers' Week 1 starter. Rapoport has recently stated he believes Darnold is the frontrunner to be the starter until Purdy is ready.
"Having a No. 3 overall pick, learning a little, getting not very many reps, and being the third-stringer, it just doesn't make a lot of sense," Rapoport continued. "And it feels to me like teams read the landscape, they kind of read the room, and they say, 'I wonder if this guy might be available.'
"It was just a couple of years ago that several teams viewed him as one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. I wouldn't be surprised if, at some point over the next few months—probably not imminently, but the next few months—someone ended up giving the 49ers enough to trade for Trey Lance because someone, no doubt, would still believe that he could be the franchise guy that he probably won't be for the Niners."
When asked if the 49ers have been receptive to the calls about Lance, Rapoport answered, "They haven't hung up the phone, nor should they, by the way. And this is something the general manager John Lynch has been very clear about. If someone calls, they're going to listen. All teams should listen. And this one in particular, because Trey Lance is a very, very talented player."
