49ers HC Kyle Shanahan: Trey Lance is ‘going to be able to handle this pressure’ of starting

One of the biggest stories of the NFL offseason has involved the starting quarterback position for the San Francisco 49ers. 

Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo has been sidelined since he underwent surgery in March to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder, and 2021 rookie Trey Lance has served as the team’s QB1 through springtime workouts and mandatory minicamp sessions. Many thought Garoppolo would’ve been traded by now, and the 30-year-old continues to be linked in rumors with clubs such as the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. 

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan raised eyebrows when he said last week that Garoppolo could be welcomed back to training camp assuming he’s been cleared to resume throwing by then. Some took that as an indication Shanahan could be preparing for a legitimate quarterback competition this summer if Garoppolo isn’t traded, but his latest comments suggest otherwise. 

Per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, Shanahan offered high praise for Lance while speaking during the club’s “State of the Franchise” event. 

“Trey’s a great dude,” Shanahan remarked. “He’s himself. You can tell he was raised very good. He treats everyone right. He’s also got a little chip on his shoulder, and he likes to compete out there and play ball. And he handles himself the right way.” 

Shanahan continued about the 22-year-old: 

“I think the biggest thing on Trey that everyone’s got to realize is he is younger. Trey’s got more horsepower inside of him than I think he even knows of, just from the whole talent, but also what he’s made of, how intelligent he is. 

“I think he’s going to be able to overcome adversity. I do believe he’s going to be able to handle this pressure. It’s going to be hard, but that’s what the position is. There’s only so many people in this world that have the talent to be put in that spot, and there might be 32 of them, but there’s definitely not 32 of them who have the talent and who have the stuff inside that allows you to handle that position through the ups and downs and everything. I don’t care how good you are, people are going to come after you.”

Outsiders have repeatedly expressed doubts and concerns regarding Lance’s ability to win the biggest games on an NFL schedule beginning this September. Garoppolo’s continued existence on the San Francisco roster coupled with a lack of confirmation about the starting gig from Shanahan caused some to wonder if individuals within the 49ers think Jimmy G and not Lance should remain atop the depth chart for another year. 

For now, it seems the job is at least Lance’s to lose if it isn’t already guaranteed to the second-year pro for 2022.