Five Teams That Could Be Talking With the 49ers to Acquire Trey Lance

Which teams could possibly be inquiring with the 49ers to acquire Trey Lance?

Trey Lance could possibly be on the way out soon.

The 49ers are reportedly fielding calls from teams who are interested in the former 2021 No. 3 pick, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Now, this does NOT mean the 49ers are shopping Lance. It simply means that teams are tapping the 49ers on the shoulder to inquire about his availability. 

With Brock Purdy being the starting quarterback despite being on the mend from elbow injury, it is clear that Lance has a long shot to win back his starting job. Everyone can see that, so of course teams who are in need of a quarterback would like to see if they can reel Lance in from the 49ers instead of drafting a rookie. I do not believe Lance will get traded anytime soon as I explained in a previous article. 

However, the fact that multiple teams are inquiring means the price to acquire Lance will increase, which means it could rise to a point that entices the 49ers to execute it. Here are the five teams that could be talking with the 49ers to acquire Lance. 

Houston Texans

It makes a ton of sense for the Texans to be in on Lance. Former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is the head coach there now and brought over former 49ers passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik to be the offensive coordinator. Ryans wants the Texans to run a similar offense that the 49ers run. Lance should be able to transition with little struggle as Slowik is sure to throw in his own tweaks and styles. 

At his introductory press conference, Ryans talked about how the Texans do not have to go the quarterback route with their No. 2 draft pick. That means trading down or going best player available elsewhere, like a Will Anderson from Alabama, is on the table. Houston could go that route then use a Day 2 pick and a sprinkle of other picks to send to the 49ers for Lance. I have the Texans as the likeliest team to be in and acquire Lance should San Francisco pull the trigger.  

Miami Dolphins

Staying on the trend of familiarity, trading Lance to Miami makes a lot of sense with Mike McDaniel over there. It may have been just one season that McDaniel spent with Lance during his rookie year, but McDaniel should have a strong semblance of what Lance can do. The Dolphins picked up the fifth-year option on Tua Tagovailoa's contract, so Lance starting is not going to occur. However, trading for Lance is to act as a future replacement. 

Tagovailoa suffered multiple concussions last season that were outright terrifying. No one would blame him if he called it a career. In fact, he recently revealed that he mulled over retirement. He already has one foot out the door and another injury, especially concussion, could be the last straw for him. Lance can act as a contingency in case that happens so that the Dolphins do not go out scrambling for a rookie quarterback or overpay someone in free agency like Kirk Cousins next year should he get there.

Detroit Lions

Jared Goff had himself an impressive season in 2022. He threw for more than 4,400 yards with 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. That is his best season he's had since 2018. Still, he has his limitations. Goff is entering the third year of his four year contract with the Lions. Bringing Lance in is the same logic as with the Dolphins. It is to be a contingency plan for a future replacement. 2023 can be used to see if Goff can replicate or improve upon last season. 

The Lions will have enormous expectations going into this year, especially from the offense. Goff will be a main factor as to whether or not they can be at a high-level. If he declines and showcases his limitations, then the Lions could use someone young with tremendous upside. It would work out with Lance there given the vast array of talent around him along with playing inside a dome and in a weak division. 

Tennessee Titans

Familiarity and need is what brings the Titans here. For starters, their general manager Ran Carthon is a former director of player personnel for the 49ers. He knows Lance all too well, so he should be able to envision and create a fit for Lance in Tennessee. As for need, it all depends on how the Titans feel about Malik Willis. I would think that Carthon prefers Lance because he knows him than Willis. Besides, Willis is an extreme long-term project that is greater than Lance. 

In his debut start last season, the Titans did not want Willis to throw at all. It was crazy to watch. The game he had in his debut start wasn't far off at all to the game Brock Purdy had versus the Eagles, and Purdy legitimately couldn't throw due to a ruptured UCL. Lance is like a further along Willis who can actually throw. Head coach Mike Vrabel likes to run the football, which is exactly a style of offense that Lance will need to kick off his career. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A gigantic void at quarterback was left on the Buccaneers when Tom Brady retired. To fill that void, they went out and signed Baker Mayfield in free agency. Mayfield is not an answer at all. In fact, he might be a glorified backup quarterback now. But he is all they have as Kyle Trask doesn't appear to be starting material. The Buccaneers could be looking at Lance. His style could be a smooth fit for their offense mainly due to the fact that they like to take shots to Mike Evans. 

They do not run the ball much nor effectively, which could prove detrimental to Lance. But he is at least a better option going forward than Mayfield. Besides, the Buccaneers didn't cash out on Mayfield when they signed him, so he is definitely expendable. I could see the Buccaneers giving Mayfield the start until he plays himself out of the job, then they give Lance the start the rest of the way. That might be what is best for Lance than to start from Day 1.