Trey Lance: 4 reasons why 49ers rookie QB starts in 2021

In all likelihood, the 49ers let Trey Lance develop as a backup in 2021, but there are reasons why he could end up starting over Jimmy Garoppolo.

All indications are pointing to the San Francisco 49ers starting their veteran, Jimmy Garoppolo, instead of their top-drafted rookie, Trey Lance, at quarterback this season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has reiterated as much multiple times, saying the No. 1 job on the depth chart is going Garoppolo’s way, while Lance will need adequate time to develop before he ever begins to take snaps under center.

It’s probably the right move. Despite his own injury history, Garoppolo currently gives Shanahan the best chance at winning right now. And one has to factor in Lance has just one start since 2019, one full season as a starter in general and has only attempted 318 passes over his entire collegiate career.

Despite all his potential talents, Lance is awfully raw.

That said, there are situations that could arise leading to Lance eventually starting for the Niners this season.

Here are four that make a lot of sense.

No. 4: 49ers end up out of the playoff hunt, elect to start Trey Lance

It doesn’t seem feasible at this point because San Francisco is “guaranteed” to make the playoffs, right?

Well, the same was said last year, but a rash of injuries forced the 49ers to a 6-10 record and being eliminated before the regular season came to a close.

True, a 17th regular-season game and the previously added seventh seed in the conference makes for a better playoff push. But let’s envision a scenario where the Niners, riddled with injuries or not, find themselves two or three games back of a playoff berth with two or three weeks remaining.

Or in the simplest terms, fully eliminated altogether.

At that point, there’d be no reason for Shanahan to continue playing Garoppolo, even if he was healthy, with the team’s future now the bigger focus.

San Francisco has a mix of tough and winnable games to close out the season, including Week 14 at the Cincinnati Bengals and Week 15 versus the Houston Texans, which may be prime opportunities to insert Lance into the starting lineup.