Trey Lance was at Nodak Insurance Football Performance Complex on Saturday, attending the North Dakota State Bison's final spring practice. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has a younger brother who plays for his Alma mater. Lance spent time interacting with players, coaches, and fans.
The local media outlet, The Forum, asked Lance about the recent trade speculation that has been making its media rounds.
"I got no comment on that," Lance responded. "I have no information."
Lance and the 49ers opened their offseason program last week. The 2023 NFL Draft begins this week, and there has been no shortage of speculation surrounding the quarterback's future.
Last week, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that NFL teams have been calling the 49ers, inquiring about Lance's availability.
"They haven't hung up the phone, nor should they, by the way," Rapoport later said on NFL Network. "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."
Lance entered last season as the 49ers' starting quarterback but went down with a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2. Entering his third NFL season, he has started just four NFL games.
"Last year, I played the one game in Chicago and then got hurt, so it was kind of over before it even got started," Lance said. "But I am just excited for this year. This offseason, just focusing on getting better. Focusing on getting these guys better in the locker room and just being a great teammate, a great leader."
Jimmy Garoppolo replaced Lance following the injury. Then-rookie Brock Purdy replaced Garoppolo after the veteran sustained a broken foot on December 4. Purdy led the 49ers to eight consecutive wins before suffering a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow in the NFC Championship Game.
Lance, who underwent two surgeries, is fully recovered from his injury.
"I'm all cleared, so I'm good to go," Lance said. "I got cleared a little over a month ago, so I'm feeling really good, and let's get back to work."
This offseason, Lance is expected to compete with Sam Darnold to be the Week 1 starter, should Purdy not be fully recovered from his March 10 surgery.
"It was just a couple of years ago that several teams viewed him as one of the top quarterbacks in the draft," Rapoport said of Lance. "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."
