For the first time since week two of the 2022-23 season, Trey Lance was back under center for the San Francisco 49ers.
In Sunday’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, Lance made his highly-anticipated return to the field for the first time since suffering a season-ending ankle injury against the Seattle Seahawks in week two of last season.
With shakey protection from the 49ers’ offensive line paired with a mix of rust, it wasn’t pretty for Lance in the first half against the Raiders. With three sacks coming in his first three drives, Lance ended each of his first three drives with three-and-outs. Lance followed with a touchdown drive in his fourth possession of the game. After looking comfortable for the first time of the day with a drive right down the field, Lance got a bit lucky with a near interception in the endzone.
The North Dakota State product fired a laser for Chris Conely over the middle of the field. Yet, Raiders corner Duke Shelley jumped the pass for what looked like an interception. However, Shelley couldn’t hold on as the wayward pass was deflected into the leaping arms of Ross Dwelley for a touchdown.
In his final drive of the first half, Lance was able to move the ball down the field for a late field goal attempt, but the drive was highlighted by another near interception on a pass over the middle of the field.
Playing only in the first half, Lance finished the 49ers’ preseason opener with 10-of-15 passing for 112 yards and one touchdown. Lance’s passer rating finished at 111.0. He was sacked four times against the Raiders. Lance scrambled for two yards.
Following Lance’s performance against the Raiders, his name was buzzing on social media with reactions. Here’s a look at what fans and analysts were saying about Lance’s performance on Twitter on Sunday afternoon.
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Trey Lance throws the rare turnover-worthy touchdown! pic.twitter.com/YDjidv8mjZ
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance with the dart… His best throw of the game so far 🚀 pic.twitter.com/OKFQcnpGhq
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 13, 2023
TREY LANCE TUDDY LETS
GOOOO pic.twitter.com/QFXvwG5knF— Sourdeath Sam (@SourdeathSam) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance with his best play of the game with a nice jump pass. pic.twitter.com/wJv3voUoFH
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) August 13, 2023
Hard to evaluate Trey Lance behind that attrocious second-string offensive line, but it's fair to say he displayed his improved accuracy and throwing mechanics.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) August 13, 2023
Terrible throw by Trey Lance for the TD pic.twitter.com/73aspHhHQH
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance has a ways to go pic.twitter.com/ik8nAnXGkA
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance looks like a QB who hasn't gotten hit in practice. These muddy pockets are throwing him off and he's either not pulling the trigger when he should or is off-target.
Kyle gave him a layup on the 1st play but he didn't take it.
It's early. He should settle in.
— KP (@KP_Show) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance has had some rough plays! pic.twitter.com/kivERQwnrB
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) August 13, 2023
Example of stats not telling the story: Trey Lance – 10/15, 112 yards, 1 TD, 111.0 passer rating.
— Jeff Deeney (jeffdeeney on Threads) (@PFF_Jeff) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance got SAUCY with this one 😈 pic.twitter.com/yAgvjIJrcI
— Allen Stiles (@The_StilesFiles) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance every time he drop back to pass pic.twitter.com/mkq5iFWknw
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance with the 2nd team O-Line #49ers pic.twitter.com/0C0uHhTOb4
— Richie (@Richie346_MD) August 13, 2023
It looked as if both sacks on the opening series were on Trey Lance. Protection on the short drops was there, and so were the opportunities to get rid of the football.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance has been under pressure every time he has dropped back to throw so far.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance throws a TD
kind of? pic.twitter.com/9iFh1wiHrR
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance's passer rating right now is 127.1.
If that pass is picked off — as it should have been — it's 32.8
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 13, 2023
Fantastic response from Trey Lance on that drive. Couple rhythm throws to settle in, which seemed to help him calm down.
Touchdown throw wasn’t great, but it somehow counts for 7.
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance's worst play on an otherwise solid series ended up being a touchdown, as Ross Dwelley caught the deflection. On the drive: Lance was 4-for-4 for 35 yards and a TD.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance is playing well for a quarterback who has been sacked four times in less than one half.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance, clean pocket, decisive, beautiful throw to Chris Conley for 17 yards over the middle.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance hasn't been a fast starter in practices this summer. He does tend to get better as the session goes on. Let's see if that trend continues in the first half.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance slow with his footwork and inaccurate from the pocket on third down. Protection was fine that time
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 13, 2023
Pretty up and down first half from Trey Lance. He looks like a talented guy who hasn’t played a lot. Felt like his process was sped up by the pressure. Passed up a few throws. But also had a couple of nice escapes and a really nice throw to Conley late.
— Vish Kumaran (@VishKumaran) August 13, 2023
I’m pulling for Trey Lance because he’s a quality young man who has had a tough start to his career. But he did not help himself in the first half. Held the ball too long, not seeing the field well. Yes, he was pressured but some of that is on him. Really hoping to see better.🙏🏾
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) August 13, 2023
Touchdown Trey Lance! Hope you aren’t just watching box scores.. hahaha
— Jason Moore (@jasonffl) August 13, 2023
From snap to Trey Lance getting sacked, 5.16 seconds.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance first-half line (his day is likely done): 10-15, 112 yards, 1 TD (on a dropped INT), 2 dropped INTs, 4 sacks.
Lance's efficiency was not good. He did seem more comfortable as time went along, but made critical errors even on the 49ers' productive drives. Still a big…
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 13, 2023
So, first-half impressions: Trey Lance had some nice moments but took many sacks and should have been picked twice; heaven help us if the Niners have O-Line injuries; Jake Moody is not automatic; second-team D struggled to stop O'Connell/White; no returner flashed; Anything else?
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) August 13, 2023
Nothing has changed my mind about Trey Lance after that half of preseason football. Need to see a lot more and with good protection would be great.
— Ryan G Hensley (@ryanghensley) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance 10/15 1 TD, 4 Sacks. Some good, some bad, some luck. Awful protection. Nerves. All on display today. Overreact in the comments.
— Ryan G Hensley (@ryanghensley) August 13, 2023
Trey Lance or the O-line's fault?
It's a two-way street.
Lance has to hit the short throws. He's already missed multiple. Those put the 49ers in advantageous down-and-distance scenarios, which make it easier on his O-line.
And the O-line can't cave in at key spots.
It's a…
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 13, 2023
It's only the preseason… but Trey Lance is struggling.
Has already taken three sacks and has missed multiple throws high.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) August 13, 2023
Second-team offensive line getting pushed around nonstop, not giving Trey Lance much of anything.
He’s looked pretty uncomfortable as well, just rough offensive showing all around.
0 first downs on 3 drives..
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) August 13, 2023
A terrible decision leads to TD. Good drive for Trey overall, but that last throw was BIG YIKES.
— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) August 13, 2023
