San Francisco 49ers star Trey Lance declined to comment on rumours linking the quarterback with a trade to the Minnesota Vikings.
Lance was the starter for the 49ers at the start of the 2022 season but he suffered an ankle injury that prematurely ended his campaign in Week 2. Jimmy Garoppolo returned to the fold as his replacement only to also go down with a season-ending injury in Week 13, which opened the door for Brock Purdy.
Purdy is the reigning ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ after he was selected with the 262nd and final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. But he rapidly transitioned from third-string quarterback to starter.
Purdy went 5-0 in the regular season and led the 49ers to an NFC Championship Game appearance during a spectacular rookie season - and he is expected to be the starter once he returns from ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery. On Wednesday, it was reported that San Francisco were taking calls from teams interested in moving for Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Speculation linked Lance with a handful of teams, including the Vikings from his home state of Minnesota. The 22-year-old attended North Dakota State’s final spring practice on Saturday, and he was asked about a potential trade.
“I got no comment on that,” Lance said, per inforum.com. “I have no information.”
Lance revealed doctors had cleared him to return to football activities last month. The injury derailed what could have been a promising campaign for the quarterback at the helm of a championship-contending team, only for Purdy to seize the opportunity.
However, Lance is optimistic he can get his career back on track in 2023. He added: “Last year, I played the one game in Chicago and then got hurt, so it was kind of over before it even got started. But I am just excited for this year.
“This offseason, just focusing on getting better. [I’m] focusing on getting these guys better in the locker room and just being a great teammate, a great leader.
If Lance is truly available, he could prove to be a cheaper and more attractive option to franchises that feel less comfortable with the quarterbacks on offer in this week’s 2023 NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans both feature former 49ers coaches and officials, so they could well be the favourites for Lance, along with the Vikings.
