49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance on Tuesday took his first snap with the first-team offense. It looked initially to be a momentous benchmark in his quest to earn the 49ers’ starting job. That wore off quickly, and again when head coach Kyle Shanahan explained the move after practice.
Shanahan on Monday indicated there was no plan in the works to give Lance any starters reps. Tuesday’s one snap was by design to get the offense ready for potential special packages for Lance, not because of a long-term plan of moving him into the starting role.
“We have seven day install,” Shanahan told reporters. “A certain play that went in a day that we wanted all the lines to get reps with and we’re only going to do that play with Trey.”
Lance brings a rushing dynamic Garoppolo doesn’t have, which is part of the reason the 49ers moved up to draft him. He may not earn the starting job in camp, but there’ll undoubtedly be some plays installed for him where he debuts during his rookie season without getting a start.
The playbook with Lance will look a little different than it does with Garoppolo, and having that part of the offense ready will be important for whenever Lance does get to play and/or starts.