© Darren Yamashita | 2021 Aug 14
For a while, it seemed like Trey Lance starting for the 49ers in Week 1 of the regular season was more than just a pipe dream. That narrative has cooled off recently, especially in the wake of Lance reportedly not outplaying Jimmy Garoppolo during the team’s joint practices vs. the Chargers this week.
Lance showed off his potential in the 49ers preseason opener, connecting with Trent Sherfield on an 80-yard touchdown pass on his second pass attempt. He also showed his rawness, going 5-for-14, taking four sacks and throwing at least two passes that should have been intercepted.
All this means it’s nearly a certainty that Garoppolo will start Week 1 at Detroit, according to 49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco. That doesn’t mean we won’t see Lance, however. Maiocco believes that the 49ers will include Lance in the game plan consistently until he is ready to take over.
“I still think it’s a long shot at this point that Lance will open the season as the starter,” Maiocco said on KNBR Friday morning. “I don’t think anybody is expecting that to happen. I’ve never covered a team where you have two legitimate quarterbacks and both are going to play. I guess that 2012 season, which was Kaepernick’s second year, they started mixing him in for some specialty plays, and I think that’s what you are going to see with the rookie Lance this year.
“Just give him opportunities, give him a little bit more every week. If the team is winning, you keep that recipe, but it also gives you kind of a hedge in case the quarterback play from Garoppolo isn’t what Kyle Shanahan wants it to be.”
We should get a big dose of Lance this Sunday vs. the Chargers.
Listen to the full interview below.