NFL quarterback turned ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III is in attendance for the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week. On Thursday, he was asked to evaluate last year's No. 3 overall pick, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance.

While most would likely try to break down the 21-year-old quarterback's game despite the small sample size of playing time, Griffin's response was refreshingly honest. Griffin acknowledged that Lance didn't play much during his rookie campaign and that criticizing his play would be premature.


"The only way for Trey Lance to truly develop is to play," Griffin told Jordan Elliott (h/t @TheSFNiners_ for the find). "He's got to make mistakes. He's got to have success. So, I think you just reserve judgment until then. I know that's not the popular thing to do on TV, but you won't see me talking bad about Trey Lance on TV because I don't know what he is yet."

That doesn't mean Griffin doesn't see the potential in the 49ers' young athletic quarterback.

"[H]e has the skillset. He has the arm talent. He has the athleticism," Griffin continued. "And from what I've been told, he has the mindset. So, if he gets that opportunity, and Jimmy's (Garoppolo) not there anymore, I think it's going to be fireworks. But he's got to prove that."


Last season, Lance started just two games, playing 178 snaps during his six appearances. The bulk of the quarterback snaps belonged to veteran Jimmy Garoppolo.

Most expect the 49ers to trade Garoppolo this offseason, allowing Lance to take over the starting quarterback job in 2022 and beyond.

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