Technically, 49ers general manager John Lynch met the media Monday to preview his team’s thinking heading into this week’s NFL Draft. But since the team doesn’t have a first-round draft pick, much of the discussion centered around the current state of the quarterback position.
At this point, the offseason QB questions are an annual tradition in Santa Clara. After going through the Jimmy Garoppolo odyssey the past few seasons, the team is now relying on a rehabbing Trey Lance, an injured Brock Purdy and unproven veteran Sam Darnold.
Trade rumors surrounding Lance have run rampant this offseason and Lynch said he’s talked with the young quarterback about the situation. It sounds like the 49ers are picking up the phone but not actively shopping their 22-year-old signal-caller, nor receiving any solid offers.
“I think there’s a lot of smoke, really,” Lynch said. “It hasn’t been extremely active. It’s not like we put it out there, that, ‘Hey, we’re taking offers for Trey. Call 1-800…’ That’s not in the process. People’s job in this is to ask questions. Has that happened on a couple of occasions? Sure. But it hasn’t been something that’s substantive.”
So, no fire for the smoke. But Lynch still has some behind-the-scenes work to do with Lance, who the team traded up to select with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
“Trey and I have talked and we’re on the same page,” Lynch said. “Trey knows exactly where the situation is. His mindset is all about competing and I think that’s exactly where his mindset should be. We’re excited about the position that he’s put himself in and the work he’s done this offseason. … There has been good communication. We’re excited about Trey’s ability to go compete for a job.”
If it weren’t for Brock Purdy’s elbow injury in the NFC Championship, Lance might be expendable by now. Purdy led the Niners to nine straight wins before tearing his UCL and undergoing surgery in March.
“He’s making great progress,” Lynch said. “As I have it, we’re six weeks out. Just finished that six weeks and really doing a good job with it. … As I understand it, he’s definitely on schedule and hitting all the checkpoints. We’re very encouraged by his rehab.”
In a recent interview, Purdy said his entire 2023 season might be in jeopardy. Estimates figure that Purdy will need a six-month recovery from surgery, which would put his earliest possible return around Week 1.
“I think it’s moreso Brock being Brock and understanding that he’s gotta be exactly where he’s at,” Lynch said. “It doesn’t do him or anyone else a lot of good to be speculating about what’s to come. Brock’s just jumping in each and every day and really doing well.”
Lynch admitted that the uncertainty around Purdy’s situation is affecting how they’re approaching Lance’s future.
“I think you have to take that into account,” Lynch said. “We’ve approached it that way. As good as we feel about Brock’s rehab, I think we have to prepare for every scenario. But moreso, we’re just excited about having three really quality quarterbacks in our room and letting those guys go out and compete and vie for a job.”
