Trent Williams praises Trey Lance for his handling of early-career adversity

The 49ers quarterback situation might be the most interesting off-season topic in all the NFL. And the wildcard character is Trey Lance.

If you think about it, San Francisco either has a QB depth chart dripping with dynamic talent. Or the position is riddled with injured guys who may or may not play to a high level again.

Offensive lineman Trent Williams, who is in charge of protecting the QB on the field, gives props to Trey Lance, the one-time starter who dislocated his ankle in the 49ers second game last season. Williams said he was most impressed at how Lance “stayed engaged.” After Lance, San Francisco turned to Jimmy Garoppolo, who guided the team into November before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Brock Purdy, the rookie and last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, stepped in for an improbable run to the NFC championship game. Then he tore a tendon in his elbow, giving way to journeyman Josh Johnson.

Williams complimented Lance on his maturity.

“For him to be that young and be that mature and handle things that well, I was impressed,” Williams told reporters this week.

“He was in Brock’s hip pocket,” Williams said. “Very attentive in meetings. Every meeting and walk-through he could attend, he was there. And he just always had a smile on his face. Always uplifting his teammates.”

Just a year ago, most viewed Trey Lance as the 49ers future. After all, San Francisco sent a bevy of prime draft picks to the Dolphins to move up in the first round to select the quarterback from North Dakota State. Here’s the cost to draft Lance at No. 3 — first-round picks in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and a third-rounder in 2022.

The 49ers also took a huge gamble on picking him considering that Lance didn’t have much game experience for a player his age. He redshirted in 2018 as a freshman at North Dakota State. As a starter in 2019, he led the team to an FCS national title. But because of the Covid pandemic, he played in only one game in 2020, then decided to sit out the rest of the season.

Headed into this fall, Trey Lance could drop to third string. Or maybe he’s the starter. Purdy began throwing again earlier this month, but he couldn’t participate in OTAs or mini camp. The 49ers still don’t know if he’ll be ready to start the season. Garoppolo signed with the Raiders and needed surgery in March for last November’s foot injury. Meanwhile, San Fran signed Sam Darnold, the former first rounder who has started games for the Jets and Panthers.

What do you do with Lance? Coach Kyle Shanahan said there’s been no talk of trading him.

“I understand the unusual circumstances of when you trade up for a quarterback with the third pick in the draft how you’re expecting him to be the man for a long time.” Shanahan said last month. “And we did expect that. And I still believe that he can be (that). You’re also not expecting the last pick in the draft to come in and play at that level.”

See, the 49ers either have a big quarterback dilemma. Or, they’re in an enviable position.