49ers have sent clear message to Trey Lance behind the scenes?

The trade market for Jimmy Garoppolo has not developed much, which has led to some speculation that the San Francisco 49ers could keep him and wait a while longer before completely transitioning to Trey Lance. Apparently that is not the message that has been sent to last year’s No. 3 overall pick.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote in his insider column this week that Lance has been led to believe he will start in 2022.

“Trey Lance has gotten the full impression behind the scenes that he will start in 2022,” Fowler wrote. “So while the expectation is San Francisco will move Garoppolo eventually, it feels like the team is in a holding pattern on that.”

Fowler also said teams have “legitimate concern” about Garoppolo’s surgically repaired shoulder. That is reportedly the reason at least one team did not pursue a trade for Jimmy G.

Lance is an extremely raw prospect. He only played in 19 games at North Dakota State, so he didn’t even have much experience at the collegiate level. The Niners are coming off a season in which Garoppolo led them to the NFC Championship Game, where they lost by only a field goal to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

Garoppolo probably wants an opportunity to start elsewhere, but there aren’t many teams that are looking for a starting quarterback. Some have speculated that the Niners might keep Garoppolo and give Lance more time to develop. If they’ve already told Lance otherwise, that could create an uncomfortable situation.

H/T 49ers Webzone
Photo: Dec 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) smiles after defeating the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports