Report: 49ers naming Sam Darnold No. 2 QB, exploring options for Trey Lance

Some big news came out of the Bay Area on Wednesday as the San Francisco 49ers have named Sam Darnold the team’s backup quarterback behind Brock Purdy according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

This leaves former No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft Trey Lance as the 49ers’ third-string quarterback, as Pelissero also revealed that the franchise will be exploring options with Lance, making his future with San Francisco uncertain moving forward.

49ers reporter Cam Inman also reported that Lance was not present at San Francisco’s Wednesday practice ahead of their final preseason game on Friday versus the Los Angeles Chargers.

The #49ers are naming Sam Darnold their No. 2 quarterback and the team is exploring options with Trey Lance, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

Darnold will back up Brock Purdy, while the future of Lance — the No. 3 overall pick in 2021 — is unclear. pic.twitter.com/HxXQkfM6nq

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 23, 2023

All signs are currently pointing toward Lance likely parting ways with San Francisco after spending the last two seasons with the franchise on a journey that’s had more downs than ups.

Lance impressed in his single full season as a collegiate starter at North Dakota State, throwing for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns in the air with zero interceptions along with 1,100 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. He only appeared in one game in 2020 due to the FCS season being postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 49ers still selected him with their very first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Lance served as the 49ers’ backup quarterback to Jimmy Garoppolo in his rookie season, but still made six game appearances including two starts in relief of an injured Garoppolo, throwing for 603 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions.

He was named the team’s starter ahead of the 2022 season but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 versus the Chicago Bears that would put an end to his sophomore season in the league, posting a 2-2 career record as a starter in the NFL.

Darnold signed a one-year deal with San Francisco this offseason in March as he enters his sixth season in the NFL. Like Lance, Darnold was also the No. 3 overall pick in his respective draft class, selected by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has 55 career starts in the league under his belt, spending time with the Jets and the Carolina Panthers before joining the 49ers.

His athleticism and arm talent have always been evident, but his play hasn’t contributed to winning during his time in the league posting a 21−34 record as a starter and throwing 55 interceptions in the process.

But he’s impressed throughout training camp in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, completing 16 of his 22 pass attempts in the preseason for 193 yards and a touchdown, as he’ll back up Purdy coming off of a serious elbow injury after an impressive rookie season for the 49ers.