49ers' Shanahan: Lance will be able to 'overcome adversity' in Year 2

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan believes quarterback Trey Lance can overcome heightened expectations ahead of his second year in the league.

"The biggest thing with Trey that people have to realize is he is younger," Shanahan said during a State of the Franchise event. "He has 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."

The Niners invested heavily in Lance's future, trading three draft picks to select third overall in 2021.

The North Dakota State product had an unremarkable start to his career in his debut campaign, going 1-1 as the starter. Lance threw for 603 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions with a 57.7% completion percentage last season.

San Francisco stuck with Jimmy Garoppolo as its primary passer last year, and the veteran led the Niners to the NFC Championship Game. With Garoppolo currently rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery and awaiting a potential trade, Lance is expected to take a huge step in 2022.

Shanahan recognizes that having a great supporting cast, including George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Elijah Mitchell, will help in Lance's progression from a rookie to a second-year veteran.

The Niners bench boss believes that the real test for his young signal-caller will be how both he and the team respond to adversity during the season.

"We're going to put them through the wringer during the season, then you find if they can do it for the long haul," he said, according to Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn.