5 teams who must call 49ers and ask for a Trey Lance trade
By Peter Panacy
While the 49ers may ultimately hold onto Trey Lance, these five squads should be on the phone with John Lynch about a possible trade prior to the 2023 season beginning.
Right now, based on pure speculation and the observation of both field time and stats from the preseason, quarterback Trey Lance is poised to find himself No. 3 on the San Franciso 49ers depth chart behind the starter, Brock Purdy, and the veteran who secured the primary backup role, Sam Darnold.
This isn't set in stone, of course, as head coach Kyle Shanahan even told reporters that it's feasible the depth chart changes during the regular season, too.
Regardless, it sure doesn't seem as if Lance is going to factor into the Niners' long-term plans anymore after being selected No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Perhaps Shanahan and general manager John Lynch elect to hold onto Lance this season, using him as insurance to guard against injuries/flame-outs to Purdy and even Darnold.
Still, these five quarterback-seeking teams should strongly consider picking up the phone and asking Shanahan, Lynch and Co. what it would take to trade Lance to them.
No. 5: Washington Commanders
Projected Starter: Sam Howell
Unless the Washington Commanders are biding their time within the NFC East until Super Bowl-contending teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are much weaker in the next few years, they'd stand for a massive upgrade at quarterback.
Sam Howell, the projected starter who made one start his rookie 2022 season after being drafted in Round 5, might be the guy. If he's not, Washington has a capable backup in Jacoby Brissett.
None of those names should inspire playoff confidence, and there's a better-than-not chance neither quarterback is exactly someone who can steer the Commanders into the postseason.
Since former owner Dan Snyder is no longer in the picture, the notion of trading with Shanahan should be an easy one, particularly with a former San Francisco front office executive in Washington's general manager, Martin Mayhew, calling the roster shots.
Mayhew can see the upside in Lance and could look to engineer a trade with the idea of finding that long-term option under center.