Two years ago, the 49ers traded two firsts and a third-round pick to move into position to draft Trey Lance out of North Dakota State. And in those two seasons since, Lance has appeared in just eight games (including four starts).
Lance sat behind Jimmy Garoppolo his rookie year with the idea that he would take the reins in 2022. But a season-ending ankle injury cut that short in Week 2 and the emergence of Brock Purdy has him favored to be the starter post-elbow surgery.
Speaking at Tuesday’s NFL Owner’s Meetings, 49ers CEO Jed York said there’s no regrets when it comes to making the move for Lance. Telling reporters:
“I wouldn’t change anything that we’ve made about the decision with Trey. I think Trey has a chance to be great, but it’s a bonus when you get somebody at the end of the seventh round that ends up coming in and being very impactful for your team. I’ve said it multiple times with quarterbacks, whether it was Alex [Smith] and [Colin Kaepernick], watching Jimmy, and Jimmy and Trey, and now Brock and Trey and Sam [Darnold], you can’t have enough good quarterbacks.
Jed York: I wouldn’t change anything about moving up to get Trey Lance. https://t.co/SYkLLIqwUC
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 29, 2023
The NFL world reacted to York’s comments on social media.
“Except for the moving up to get Trey Lance part,” a user replied.
Except for the moving up to get Trey Lance part
— Rxmeister55 (@rxmeister55) March 29, 2023
— Roy III (@desertbeagle85) March 29, 2023
— TOB of the Wood (@reobrien3) March 29, 2023
“Least you didn’t give up much…..” a user tweeted sarcastically.
Least you didn’t give up much….. https://t.co/3Xrog3E4Vw
— SHREDDER (@shreddervike) March 29, 2023
York added that the 49ers’ goal is to win a Super Bowl, “not to say that this draft pick or this decision was the perfect decision.”