What Makes 49ers QB Trey Lance so Mentally Strong

Trey Lance has been through a hectic roller coaster ride in his career thus far that it could have easily broken him mentally, yet he has remained strong and confident.

There have been a lot more low than high moments for Trey Lance in his early career.

It all started when he broke his finger on his throwing hand in the preseason of his rookie year against the Raiders. That injury really derailed any development, momentum, and progression for him as a player for the next year.

It hurt his throwing mechanics since he had to adjust for his injured finger that was a hindrance for so long. The finger injury lingered as far into training camp in 2022 as Lance was still working his way back. He never was able to really settle in and find a groove, which caused the 49ers to re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo as a hedge. Matters became worse for Lance as he would break his ankle in Week 2 of 2022 that would force him to miss the season.

Now, he finds himself kicked off as the starter for Brock Purdy who has all the support. Lance faces a ton of adversity and negative moments that could have easily cracked his psyche. And yet, he hasn't wavered and remains ever strong and confident. How is he able to do so after being so derailed thus far? Lance revealed what he does to make him so mentally strong and able to handle as he's been through.

“I do a lot. Thankfully, I am really close with my family," said Lance. "Me and my little brother, my parents, I meet with people to help me set my mindset for the day pretty regularly. I's just being able to find ways to live in the moment I think is one big thing that I’ve focused on this year as well as just realizing how blessed I am to be in this position. I say it every single day, like I play in the NFL. Hopefully, obviously the plan is for me to get on the field this year and really get this thing started, but gratitude is kind of what I bring everything back to, just kind of bringing everything back into perspective.” 

No one would have blamed Lance if he had folded. Every time he tries to better himself, something gets in his way to delay it. Whether that is his finger injury, forced to have a redshirt rookie season, a broken ankle, and now the emergence of Purdy. Lance has had to overcome a lot, and it's why if he is able to look improved and make the most of his opportunities that he will look like the best quarterback on the team.

All of those adversarial moments are bound to make him better, or at least that is the hope. Lance still needs to put it all together, and given the early look at his improved throwing mechanics, the arrow appears to be pointing in the right direction for him. Even if he does falter with that or anything else, one thing that is for sure is he won't be demoralized from it.

It's pretty clear that Lance possesses an elite trait, which lies with his mentality.