SANTA CLARA, Calif. — While San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s definitive statement that this team now belongs to the quarterback trey lance It might have been news to outside observers, it was just another day at the office for Lance himself.
“Honestly, the only difference is that I was hoping they’d stop asking me about it all the time,” Lance said Thursday. “For me, it wasn’t really a moment or anything like that. I’ve been excited. I’ve been preparing to play since the day I got here, since the day I got drafted. So obviously excited for this year.” But nothing has really changed this entire offseason.”
Shanahan made that statement Tuesday, the day the Niners reported for the start of training camp this year. And while Lance had long been expected to be ready to step in as the starter, Shanahan had previously refused to say so in such true terms.
But with the arrival of the training camp and the pending departure of the incumbent Jimmy Garoppolowho has undergone a physical while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, no one had much reason to delay the inevitable any longer.
After taking every rep with the starting offense in the offseason program, Lance came into this camp knowing the job was his and every practice is an opportunity to prepare to lead a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.
For now, the Niners’ goal is to bolster the fundamentals of Shanahan’s offense before turning their attention to some of the additional skills, like running, that Lance brings to the table.
“There are certain plays that you have to be good at just to be successful in this league and move the ball,” Shanahan said. “And then what can Trey do differently than we’ve had? I think Trey is a runaway threat at any time, so knowing that he’s a runaway threat at any time, that definitely changes things. That gives another item the defenses have to worry about.”
Lance’s first two days of practice as a confirmed starter have had some ups and downs. On Wednesday, he took 16 snaps in team drills, operating mostly out of the pocket and seemed in control as he completed 5 of 7 passes during team drills.
On Thursday, Lance had a few more setbacks, including an interception that he threw directly to free safety. jimmy room and a couple of open target misfires that fell incomplete. Lance was pleased with the way he turned the offense around, and he received standing ovations from the fans as he scrambled down the left sideline and again as he found the receiver. brandon ayuuk between two defenders at deep late in the session.
Despite the mistakes, Lance said he felt Thursday was better than Wednesday, though he acknowledged the turnovers need to stop (the offense had three other interceptions besides Lance’s).
At least Lance can move forward with confidence knowing he’s free to make and learn from mistakes without looking over his shoulder.
“Last year I was definitely in a different place mentally, I would say,” Lance said. “I just feel a lot more confident this year knowing what I’m doing, knowing the offense a lot better, knowing the guys a lot better, having been in this organization and coaching staff for a year, I think it’s going to be a big deal.”
As for Garoppolo, he has been in the building and is continuing his throwing schedule, but he is not attending practice as the Niners are looking for a business partner for him. Lance said that he saw Garoppolo on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“It’s not weird at all,” Lance said. “I’ve never had anything I could say that was bad about Jimmy. He’s been a big brother to me since the day I got here, and he could have made things hell for me last year. He didn’t. He helped me.” . out with everything, so I’m super excited to see him healthy, I’m super excited to see him pitch again, and I’m super excited to see what he does.”