The 49ers are “exploring all options” with now third-string quarterback Trey Lance. That specific phrasing has been used in virtually every report about Lance’s future after Sam Darnold was named the backup quarterback. Now it appears those options may be coming down to trading him to the Minnesota Vikings.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport first threw out the Vikings as a potential suitor in a trade when he tweeted that the 49ers calling the Vikings “makes sense.” It’s not a hard report from the NFL insider, but it’s notable when a person as connected as Rapoport floats a specific team in trade speculation.
CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones followed that with a tweet where he said “the Vikings are the team that makes the most sense.” He reported that several teams thought to be interested in Lance “emphatically are not.”
Then Charles Robinson, a senior NFL reporter for Yahoo tweeted about how much the Vikings make sense as well.
Some who spent significant time evaluating #49ers Trey Lance suggest a reset with a clean slate, major offseason & preseason reps, and a generous veteran to learn from who is entrenched at starter. Basically, he needs what Zach Wilson is getting w/ the #Jets. #Vikings would fit.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) August 23, 2023
This isn’t the first time Minnesota and Lance have been connected either.
Back in April, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that the 49ers and Vikings at the combine discussed a trade involving the 2021 No. 3 overall pick. Lance is from Marshall, Minnesota, which is about 150 miles wise of Minneapolis where the Vikings play their home games. Dianna Russini of the Athletic on Wednesday reported the 49ers and Vikings had talks during the Spring that eventually fell apart.
Minnesota’s future under center is uncertain for now. QB Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract. Their backup is veteran and former 49ers signal caller Nick Mullens. After that they have rookie Jaren Hall, who they selected late in the fifth round out of BYU.
Lance has two years left on his rookie contract, plus a fifth-year team option that would need to be picked up after next year’s draft. That could conceivably give the Vikings three full years to evaluate Lance in practice and in games before deciding on whether he’s worth a long-term, high-priced extension.
For now though there are no hard reports on any offers on the table for Lance, and the 49ers asking price is unknown. Russini also Athletic reported the club shopped Lance throughout the offseason and never received any significant offers.
It’s hard to imagine any significant offers will surface this late in the preseason, but keep an eye on Minnesota since they’re the only club to be linked to any sort of Lance trade rumors.
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