© Kyle Terada | 2021 Aug 14
If Trey Lance takes over for Jimmy Garoppolo as the 49ers’ starting quarterback this season, most seem to believe it will be a move made out of necessity. Garoppolo will struggle, his play contributing to a loss or two, and Lance will be given the reigns. Or, perhaps more likely, Garoppolo will be sidelined due to injury once again, Lance will take over and never cede the job.
49ers beat writer Eric Branch sees a different scenario taking place, however. He believes it is more likely that Lance actively takes the job from Jimmy G.
“I think possibly the way we see this playing out this year is Shanahan has said (Lance) is going to play situationally,” Branch said on KNBR Tuesday morning. “So I think we all think oh yeah, he’s going to sprinkle him in.
“But when you see what Trey Lance can do, I don’t think it’s a reach to think there’s going to be one game where he plays situationally and leads a stellar touchdown drive, and Shanahan says ‘Let’s see how this continues to play out, let’s play him for another series,’ and he does something more spectacular. Because, again, he has not been running at all this preseason. That’s a big part of his game.”
“When Colin Kaepernick was thrown in against the Bears on Monday Night Football and everyone thought ‘Okay, let’s see if he doesn’t screw it up,’ and he was absolutely wonderful and becomes the starter. Trey Lance has the ability to have that type of performance and off the bench game.”
Lance has shown flashes of star potential in his first two preseason games. He’s also shown flashes that he is not yet ready to lead an NFL offense come Week 1. At some point, he will be ready, and when he is, Branch believes it will be undeniable.
“Will Shanahan have to announce Trey Lance is the starter? Trey Lance in one of these regular season games at some point in Week 3, Week 10, Week 14, will kind of announce himself that ‘Okay, I’m the starter as you can all see.’”
Listen to the full interview below.