Here’s why Brock Purdy won’t force 49ers to trade Trey Lance

Reason No. 3: 49ers can easily afford Trey Lance, Brock Purdy

Trey Lance is entering year three of the rookie deal signed back when he was drafted in 2021. And while the No. 3 overall pick earns considerably more on a rookie contract than someone taken in Round 7 — a $9.3 million cap hit in 2023, according to Spotrac — that’s still awfully cheap for even a mid-level starting quarterback.

Again, recalling Spotrac’s market-value analysis of Jimmy Garoppolo at over $30 million per year, San Francisco should have no trouble keeping Lance on the payroll, especially considering the team is projected to be $12.8 million under the cap entering the offseason.

Read More: What Brock Purdy’s success means for other QBs on Niners roster

Then, there’s Purdy’s cap hit for the upcoming year. It’s only $889,252.

Holding onto both Lance and Purdy will cost the 49ers just over $10 million this season, a third of the estimated contract Garoppolo is potentially going to receive on the open market.

If there’s no substantial reason to trade Lance away, the Niners may as well retain both players to guard against injury and to push the other.

Speaking of pushing the other…