The NFL Network’s James Jones believes we will talk about Trey Lance like we do Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers in due time.
If Trey Lance does become the next Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers, then let’s give James Jones of the NFL Network some credit for sticking his neck out there by going out on that limb.
2022 should be Lance’s first season as the San Francisco 49ers‘ starting quarterback. The 49ers thought so highly of him that they gave up the farm to take him No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State, based strictly on one year of FCS collegiate production. Though the upside may very well be there, let’s just let him play ball and not compare him to NFL legends yet…
“I think he’s going to be in that category, years down the line, talking about him like we talk about Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers,” said Jones on the NFL Network studio set.
James Jones sees that Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers potential in Trey Lance
For the record, can we PLEASE stop comparing young quarterbacks to all-time greats and talents? Lance is going to be what Lance is going to be, for better or worse. But to compare him to the best quarterbacking talent since arguably Dan Marino and the four-time reigning NFL MVP is just pure lunacy at this point. Let’s see if Lance can seize control of the offense and win the NFC West first…
What is a tad troubling is not until recently has the narrative surrounding Lance being the guy changed. During Mahomes’ rookie season, everybody and their brother was speaking glowingly about Alex Smith’s backup. Rodgers would have been the Green Bay Packers starter sooner had Brett Favre not made a game of it by retiring and then unretiring, one training camp after another.
The best thing Lance can do is be a leader of men like his predecessor Jimmy Garoppolo was, but a way more talented version of him. Garoppolo certainly had his limitations as a fringe franchise quarterback, but his teammates loved him because he was one of the guys. Lance can become that, but he has the steepest learning curve of any first-round quarterback from his draft class.
Lance can totally become the guy, but these premature Mahomes and Rodgers comparisons have got to stop.