Trey Lance NFL trade odds: Titans, Vikings, Falcons, Texans favorites if 49ers deal quarterback
Could the San Francisco 49ers trade Trey Lance?
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In late January, SportsLine oddsmakers listed Trey Lance as the betting favorite to be the 49ers' Week 1 starting quarterback this season, and if anything Lance's likelihood of starting has gotten better with fellow competitor Brock Purdy coming off elbow surgery and admitting he's not sure when he will be fully healthy. Thus, it seems unlikely the Niners would trade Lance until Purdy's health status is a bit clearer, but that hasn't stopped teams from calling about the former No. 3 overall pick. SportsLine offers odds on his next team if he's traded.
According to Ian Rapoport, the 49res haven't been the ones initiating the trade calls but have been listening as other clubs are aware that Purdy is likely the future starter. If Purdy would have finished last season healthy, a Lance trade might have been obvious for San Francisco. Coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch said at the annual league meeting last month that the 49ers would listen to a potential deal for anyone.
The Niners did sign Sam Darnold this offseason, and he could potentially serve as the No. 2 to Purdy, who tore the UCL in his throwing arm in the NFC title game loss in Philadelphia. He likely won't start throwing until mid-June. His injury did not require reconstruction, which would have kept him out into the season. Purdy played as a rookie only because of injuries to Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.
How do teams accurately gauge Lance's value considering he has only started four games in his two seasons and is coming off two ankle surgeries? He is expected to be ready by the time the 49ers begin on-field work next month. To move up nine spots to No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft to draft Lance, San Francisco sent the Dolphins the 12th overall pick in 2021, a third-round pick and first-rounders in 2022 and 2023. Two seasons remain on Lance's contract, which would run through 2025 if the fifth-year option is exercised by May 2024.
The Tennessee Titans still have Ryan Tannehill on the roster but could cut him after June 1. The team would save about $27 million this year with a post-June 1 move. Malik Willis, a third-round pick last year, was overmatched in his limited action as a rookie. Tennessee has the No. 11 pick in the 2023 first round.
Houston reportedly loves Bryce Young in this year's draft, but Young is now the overwhelming favorite to go first overall to Carolina. If the Texans don't like any other QBs that much, they could trade for Lance and build elsewhere with the No. 2 pick. Houston also has the No. 12 pick.
Kirk Cousins will start this year for the Vikings but is set for free agency next winter and there's no long-term option on the roster behind him. Lance starred at Marshall High School in southwestern Minnesota before leading North Dakota State to a national championship in college. The dual-threat speedster playing half his games indoors probably wouldn't be the worst thing for his career. ESPN's Bill Barnwell has the Vikings using the 23rd pick to trade for Lance in his mock draft.
The Atlanta Falcons reportedly were taking Lance if he fell to the fourth overall pick in 2021. Atlanta has the No. 8 overall pick this year and probably wouldn't offer that up for Lance. The Falcons might want to see a full season of Desmond Ridder before making a big QB acquisition.
If the Colts can't get the QB they want at No. 4 overall (if they don't move up) and the Ravens truly won't trade Lamar Jackson, Lance could be an option. It's safe to say the Niners will not be trading Lance inside the division if the Seahawks, Rams or Cardinals were interested.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: If the 49ers trade Trey Lance, where will he land?
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