GM Lynch: Lance 'most likely' to remain with 49ers
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch expects Trey Lance to remain with the team despite the quarterback's uncertain future.
"We're very happy with Trey. The most likely option is that he's here," Lynch said Thursday, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "If we can find a landing spot for Trey that is a really good one for him and works for our organization, that's not something that we'd turn a blind eye to. But that's not where our focus is right now. Our focus is on Trey getting back here and us being the best football team."
The 49ers have been exploring options for Lance, including a potential trade. San Francisco named Sam Darnold its backup behind Brock Purdy on Wednesday, leaving Lance as the team's No. 3 option under center three years after it drafted him third overall.
The Minnesota Vikings, who called the 49ers before the 2023 NFL Draft about a potential Lance trade, remain a potential landing spot, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
San Francisco excused Lance from practice Wednesday after informing him of its decision to tab Darnold as QB2.
"Trey handled it incredibly well, with class," Lynch said. "He was devastated, and rightly so. When you put your heart and soul into something and it doesn't come to fruition, you're going to be devastated. That's the type of competitor he is. But we're in a good place, he'll be back in the building today, and we're moving forward."
After spending most of his rookie year as Jimmy Garoppolo's backup, Lance entered the 2022 season as San Francisco's starter. He lost the job after an ankle injury in Week 2 ended his campaign prematurely.
The North Dakota State product has attempted 102 passes since entering the NFL.