49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Trey Lance has a "chance" to "regain" the team's starting job with Brock Purdy recovering from elbow surgery. 

28 March 2023

Shanahan's comment strongly implied that Lance only has a shot at starting in 2023 because Purdy is recovering from elbow surgery that could require rehab lasting into the first month of the regular season. Niners general manager John Lynch said Monday that Purdy "has earned the right" to be the team's starter following his impressive run at the end of last season, ending in a first quarter elbow injury against the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. The 49ers trading Lance during the NFL Draft isn't completely out of the question. They could roll with Sam Darnold as a fill-in starter while Purdy finishes his recovery. Rotoworld's Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter talked about Lance's 2023 prospects on the latest Rotoworld Football Show.