5 significant takeaways from 49ers preseason win vs. Chargers

Travis Benjamin #17 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown with Trey Lance #5 (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Travis Benjamin #17 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown with Trey Lance #5 (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo #10 and Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

No. 1: 49ers have a quarterback competition between Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance

Never mind all the chatter from head coach Kyle Shanahan saying Jimmy Garoppolo is all but guaranteed the Week 1 starting job.

Trey Lance is fully in the mix now.

Keep in mind, Lance has yet to fully showcase his rushing skills, aside from one run for 8 yards and the two-point conversion that scored but was ultimately called back for offensive holding.

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That X-factor only serves to boost Lance’s starting prospects this season, and those should be made bigger by the fact Garoppolo struggled during his brief stint on the field, going 3-of-6 for 15 yards with an interception.

When asked after the game if Garoppolo was going to be his Week 1 starter, Shanahan responded with an awfully telling response:

"No, we’re not making that announcement. Nice try, though. Whenever I feel like it. Not tonight."

Provocative.

Lance still might be raw, and Garoppolo still might be the safer option come the regular season. Yet it’s almost impossible to ignore the fact the competition is awfully heated, and Lance is as close as ever to being named the Week 1 starter.

Carrying along whatever ramifications that decision will hold.

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