Although he’s expected to split reps with Sam Darnold this offseason, Trey Lance appears to be giving himself a competitive edge in the 49ers’ quarterback competition.
Video surfaced on Thursday of the 22-year-old QB throwing publicly for the first time since suffering a season-ending ankle injury on Sept. 18, and he wasn’t alone either.
Trey Lance is throwing with Patrick Mahomes (Lance in the background of this video)…. IG: prestonsmithphotography pic.twitter.com/kzSKetbYqo
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 6, 2023
Working out with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and 2022 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, Lance’s throwing motion appeared much more compact with a quicker release. The viral video isn’t the first time Lance has thrown since his injury. His personal quarterback trainer Quincy Avery admitted that actually happened last month after he finished rehabbing his ankle in February.
“He’s starting his full throwing regimen, being able to take his drops and throws,” Avery told Niners Nation in March.
“We’ll be getting together pretty soon here, so I’m just here to help, trying to get him back in a rhythm throwing comfortably and doing things the right way.”
Trey Lance and Patrick Mahomes are putting in work together. ????????
(????: prestonsmithphotography/IG, h/t @NFL)pic.twitter.com/3KZfiEq8bz
— theScore (@theScore) April 6, 2023
Lance had a rough go of things in 2022. He started just two games and completed 48.4 percent of his passes for 194 yards and an interception. He was injured on San Francisco’s third drive against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.
Through two seasons, Lance has played in just eight games, throwing for 797 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Although he’s just two years removed from being the No. 3 overall pick, Lance has his work cut out for him to win back the 49ers’ starting QB job.
At left: Trey Lance August 2022 (my video from camp)
At right: Trey Lance April 2023 (IG: prestonsmithphotography)
Huge difference in at least this one throw. Lance is holding/releasing the ball much higher and the motion is clearly quicker. Both fixes have been necessary pic.twitter.com/PeFhukUPcw
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 6, 2023
General manager John Lynch recently anointed Brock Purdy the “leader in the clubhouse” to be the starter once he fully recovers from elbow surgery. Purdy led the 49ers to eight straight wins and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game where he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.
