It has been two years since Trey Lance signed a lucrative rookie deal worth $34,100,000 with the 49ers. It didn’t come as a surprise as the youngster was regarded as a highly talented signal-caller. However, the star QB has now suffered a major setback. Reportedly, he is set to play third-string QB to Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold in the coming season.

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Trey Lance has had a rather rough time since he entered the deal. It is not because he lacked talent or fortitude, but because he has been marred by unfortunate injuries. He only secured a meager 102 pass attempts in his first two seasons, inhibited by a fractured right index finger in 2021 and a fractured right ankle in 2022.

Trey Lance is now 49ers’ third-string QB

As claimed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter in a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show, Trey Lance has been relegated to the position of the San Francisco 49ers’ third-string quarterback. He now sits behind both, Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold in the team’s hierarchy.

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This unexpected demotion raises concerns about Trey’s future prospects. What’s even more demotivating, is the fact that there was never much chatter among teams about trading for Trey Lance. This means that just two years after signing a mammoth rookie deal worth over $34 Million, Trey might have no other option but to play the role of the backup to the QB1’s backup in the coming season.

Considering the other side of the story, Brock Purdy’s sudden rise has been simply unbelievable. Not long ago, Purdy made it to the top spot on the NFLPA 2023 Rising Stars Veterans List, after putting up some scintillating performances in San Francisco colors. It goes without saying that Purdy’s eight-game run as the 49ers’ starter last season sealed the deal for him.

Trey Lance still has a lot left in him

While Trey might have been pushed down the ranks by the 49ers, simply writing him off at this point won’t be right. In his college stint, Trey has well and truly proven how effective and consistent he can be under pressure. Before entering into the league, Lance was the one to lead the Bison to the 2020 NCAA Division I Football Championship.

He even won the Walter Payton Award (FCS’s most outstanding offensive player) for the game, besides securing the MVP tag. He also received the Jerry Rice Award (FCS’s best freshman), thus making him a star starter. Lance had made a dropout decision to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. He was eventually picked up by the 49ers for whom he began as a second-string QB in 2021.

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However, his journey post NFL selection hasn’t been a memorable one thus far and if we go by Schefter’s report, things are only going to get worse in the near future for the QB.

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