49ers insider: Trade of former first-round QB not ‘happening imminently’

San Francisco 49ers insider Matt Barrows of The Athletic has explained why quarterback Trey Lance likely won’t be traded anytime soon.

For a piece published Friday, Barrows wrote that the 49ers likely would only receive “maybe” a second-round draft pick this spring in return for the 2021 first-round selection. 

“Which is why, combined with the fact that the team’s other young quarterback just had major elbow surgery and trading Lance would trigger $11M in dead money, it’s hard to see a trade happening imminently,” Barrows added. 

Barrows was referring to how 2022 rookie sensation Brock Purdy is recovering from surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow he had on March 10. It’s unknown heading into this year’s draft when or even if Purdy will play during the 2023 season. 

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and an unnamed league general manager made it known earlier this week that 49ers GM John Lynch has taken calls regarding Lance’s availability this offseason. Last month, Lynch referred to Purdy as “probably the leader in the clubhouse” to be San Francisco’s starter over Lance and free-agency signing Sam Darnold whenever Purdy is cleared to resume in-season football-related activities. 

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio raised eyebrows earlier this month when he reported about whispers heard during the combine that mentioned Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins as a possible bridge option for San Francisco while Purdy is sidelined. Florio then said this past Wednesday that the Vikings and 49ers “talked about” Lance in Indianapolis.

Cousins, meanwhile, is on track to reach free agency after the 2023 season.