The San Francisco 49ers might have their quarterback of the future – it’s just not the guy they traded three first-round picks to select. Rookie seventh-round pick Brock Purdy has guided the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game, which means that the organization might view him as the future of the franchise. If that is the case, then there is a very real possibility that they trade Trey Lance in the coming months, and he should have plenty of suitors.
Five Teams That Could Trade For Trey Lance
1. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints need a quarterback in the worst way, but they don’t have an avenue through which they can grab one. Currently, without a first-round pick and over the salary cap by more than $58 million, the Saints can’t draft a good quarterback prospect or sign/trade for a decent starter like Jimmy Garoppolo or Derek Carr. Even if they do trade Sean Payton, it’s highly unlikely they’ll get anything more than a mid- to late-first for his services.
With this in mind, it makes sense for New Orleans to take a shot on a high-upside player like Trey Lance. While he hasn’t played much since entering the NFL, it’s important to remember that there is a reason the 49ers selected him with the third-overall pick. He still has the potential to be a franchise quarterback, and acquiring him would be a lot easier than trading up in the 2023 NFL Draft.
i’ll never give up on Trey Lance. pic.twitter.com/5etDdBuVuu
— 🫡 ً (@PFF_Nicky) January 21, 2023
2. Carolina Panthers
If there is a franchise that would know how to handle a player like Trey Lance, it’s the Carolina Panthers. Often compared to Cam Newton as a prospect, Lance has the same rare combination of size and speed that could make him a menace to opposing defenses. The Panthers currently hold the ninth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, so they might not be able to get their quarterback prospect of choice. If they don’t like any of the prospects in the upcoming class, then perhaps they decide to trade for Lance and use their first-round pick on a different part of the roster.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have a great defense, promising young receivers in Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore, and a head coach that certainly looks the part through two seasons. This team truly is a quarterback away from competing, and they probably would have made the playoffs if they had anybody other than Zach Wilson under center. While the team will likely look for a safe veteran in the offseason, it’s entirely possible that they shoot for the stars and pull the trigger on a Trey Lance trade. While he’s far from the safest option out there, if he hits, he could turn the Jets into a top-five team in the league.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Derek Carr is on the way out in Vegas, and the Raiders need to find a quarterback somewhere. While it’s safe to assume that a Tom Brady reunion is the primary target for head coach Josh McDaniels, but if Brady retires or goes elsewhere, the team will need a Plan B. Jarrett Stidham showed some promise during the final two games of the season, but it’s highly unlikely McDaniels will trust Stidham with anything more than backup work. You need a great quarterback to compete in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, and Lance has that potential for greatness.
5. Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are outwardly voicing their support for fifth-round rookie Sam Howell. After putting up a strong outing in the season finale, the quarterback will apparently enter the offseason as QB1 on the depth chart. Perhaps Howell has been that impressive, but the Commanders need to bring in some competition in case Howell fails. Taylor Heinicke is a free agent, and it’s safe to assume Washington will release Carson Wentz in the coming weeks. After trying to get by with mediocre veterans for years, perhaps Washington decided to go all-in with two high-upside unknowns.
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