TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Brock Purdy has become a revelation for the San Francisco 49ers. These three teams should call John Lynch to trade for Trey Lance.
The San Francisco 49ers may have found a gem in 2022’s Mr. Irrelevant. Brock Purdy has quarterbacked the 49ers to a 6-0 record since replacing the injured Jimmy Garoppolo, a run that includes a blowout playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Reports emerged prior to the game that the 49ers are considering keeping Purdy as their starter beyond this season, which would create a unique trade opportunity for NFL teams in need of quarterback help. The emergence of Purdy would essentially displace Trey Lance, who the 49ers took with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and opened this season as the starter before suffering a fractured ankle in Week 3 that ended his season.
Injuries have no doubt hampered Lance’s development but he is still loaded with talent and can develop into an NFL starter in the right situation. Here are three teams that should pick up the phone and inquire about a deal if San Francisco decides to shop Lance.
49ers rumors: 3 teams that should call about Trey Lance trade with Brock Purdy shining
3. The Atlanta Falcons could take a flier on Trey Lance
Most pundits assumed the Falcons would be one of the worst teams in the NFL thanks to a talent-deficient roster. Coach Arthur Smith overachieved with Atlanta, however, going 7-10 to put the Falcons at eighth in the draft, an area that should put them out of range for a quarterback.
The Falcons did draft Desmond Ridder a year ago but he didn’t look impressive in his late-season stint as the starter. A trade for Lance would make a ton of sense since Smith is looking for a mobile quarterback like Lance and has time to let him develop without the pressure of leading a Super Bowl contender.
This is also a good situation for Lance, who would get to work with ascending young weapons like tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London. Landing with the Falcons might be the best-case scenario available for Lance and it shouldn’t cost the Falcons a first-round pick.