After waiting for his situation to play out in San Francisco, quarterback Trey Lance is finally set to take control of the 49ers offense in 2022. Though if coach Kyle Shanahan has his way, Lance will let his teammates lead the charge before he shoots to superstardom.
Because that’s the expectation for Lance. As the No.3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, he’s supposed to be a special player. Still, Shanahan wants his veteran-laden team to take a starring role as Lance progresses as a quarterback.
Here’s part of what Shanahan told The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami on the TK Show, as they discussed Lance, the 49ers new starting QB.
“I don’t think it’s going to be all about Trey. I think it’s going to be all about our team. And we’re going to allow him to move with our team,” Shanahan told Kawakami. “The kid’s made of the right stuff, and he has the ability to do it. Hope the fans are patient with him. I think our team going to understand that we’ve got the right kind of guy, and they’re going to see some real encouraging stuff out there from him early.”
Here’s audio of Shanahan’s comment on the TK Show, and a link to the entire podcast. Shanahan raises the 49ers 2019 campaign, when outgoing starter Jimmy Garoppolo led San Francisco to an 8-0 record while still learning how to take command as an NFL signal-caller.
“Our team allowed him to get to that point,” Shanahan said about Garoppolo’s 2019 season. The 49ers made it all the way to the Super Bowl that year, losing to the Chiefs after holding a lead in the fourth quarter.
And also, it must be mentioned, that Shanahan expects “big things” from Lance eventually in 2022. With the roster surrounding him, could Lance replicate Garoppolo’s 2019 success?
In San Francisco, that’s ultimately the expectation. And I believe Lance has what it takes to get to the Super Bowl as a starter. Shanahan’s offense is perfect for his diverse skill set and powerful throwing arm. Any patience granted by fans should definitely pay off, and sooner rather than later, in the grand scheme of things.
The 49ers as a team, however, have grand expectations right now. That’s another reason Lance’s acention is a big story. But mostly, it’s Lance’s immense skill. Will it blossom in San Francisco? That’s the plan, of course, and Shanahan is using all the tools at his disposal to make sure it happens.
EXTRA: Garoppolo is officially done as 49ers starter, though he’s still on the roster at this point, until San Francisco figures out how to let him go in the most financially-adventageous way possible.
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