Much has been made about the 49ers’ decision to move up to the No. 3 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft to select Trey Lance.
The 49ers clearly picked Lance so high based on his potential and not his college resume, as he played in just 19 FCS games for his career and one in 2020.
49ers quarterbacking legend Joe Montana joined ESPN’s College Football Live Wednesday to chime in on the situation, saying he wishes the franchise selected Mac Jones instead.
“If I was the 49ers, I would've taken the kid from Alabama last year,” Montana said. “Nothing against the guy that they took. It’s just that more pro-style offense, more used to being in pressure situations than that. We’ll see what happens in San Francisco. Nothing against Trey, but it’s one of those things that here’s a guy that’s got a great team behind him. They’re always fun to watch.”
Welp, it might be awkward the next time Montana is around Lance and the 49ers.
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While Lance has played in just six quarters this season due to injuries and coach Kyle Shanahan’s confidence in Jimmy Garoppolo, Jones has established himself as the best quarterback of the star-studded 2021 draft class.
Jones might have been the fifth quarterback taken -- after Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Lance and Justin Fields -- but he’s completed 68.1 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and six interceptions while leading the Patriots this season.
Time will tell who ultimately has the best career, but it looks like Lance has some work to do to win over Montana.