Rumor: 49ers to trade Trey Lance, sign Tom Brady
This reported by KNBR, which is the San Francisco area sports radio station.
If this does happen, it's not expected they will get much in return for Lance.
Apparently, the 49ers feel they just need a QB and they will win a Super Bowl. It sure seems Tom Brady would fit that bill. It was a huge hit to lose Brock Purdy yesterday. It turns out it is a torn ligament in his throwing arm:
Some background on this: Trey Lance isn't working out to be what the 49ers wanted. And I read that it wasn't Kyle Shanahan that was really behind picking him. It was the GM Jed York. I have looked for confirmation on that. I can't find definite information. Though living in the SF area, and remembering very well how Jed York made things go pear shaped with Jim Harbaugh, it's believable. So apparently, it goes like this: John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan were just being yes men for their boss in wanting to pick Trey Lance. And after that, their boss was relying on the opinion of Frank Gore to confirm taking Trey Lance. You can see that Frank Gore was the clinching factor to picking him in this video, starting at 4:21:
DISCLAIMER: AGAIN, TREY LANCE TO BE TRADED, AND SIGNING TOM BRADY IS RUMOR. But being that is from KNBR it has some validity. Whenever they put things out like this it works out there was a kernel of truth to it.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:27 PM ^
Would the Lions give up a 3rd-rounder for Lance? They stated they needed to up their backup QB game.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:39 PM ^
I would be very happy if they made that trade. Lance certainly has upside and isn't going to come in expecting to start. Would allow him plenty of time to get healthy while Goff gets another year or two to show if this year was a flash in the pan or something sustainable. Plus, I think at this point Holmes has earned some trust to make a move like this if he thinks it's the right move.
January 30th, 2023 at 9:32 PM ^
If the 49ers move on from him this quickly, though, one ought to update their priors on the likelihood that Lance has actual potential. A third-rounder is a reasonably cheap punt on the off-chance that Brunell can make magic with the guy, but I don't expect him to turn into a real QB.
January 30th, 2023 at 9:58 PM ^
The 9ers have a bit of a clogged QB room at the moment when everyone is healthy. But if the above plan actually takes place. They are going to move on from Lance just for the opportunity of getting Brady. Especially since they will still have Purdy as the backup. It would be pretty hard to keep Purdy and Lance on the roster with Brady.
I also think a 3rd rounder would be a pretty cheap price for a QB that would probably still end up in the first round of this years draft. I would certainly take him over Richardson and probably Levis
January 30th, 2023 at 10:27 PM ^
Anthony Richardson??? That dude can't throw. I'd be pissed if my team used a 7th on him.
January 30th, 2023 at 11:02 PM ^
That's why I am saying I would much rather trade a 3rd round pick for Trey Lance over taking one of the Qbs that would likely be available in the second or 3rd round of the draft. Richardson is predicted to go in the middle of the first which is scary.
January 31st, 2023 at 6:45 AM ^
Richardson throws one of the best balls I have seen in years. It may not always go where it is intended by the man can certainly throw the ball.
January 31st, 2023 at 7:31 AM ^
The only full game I saw him play was this year’s FSU game. One off his first passes went 45 yards on a rope hitting his receiver in stride. He spent the rest of the game throwing it at his receivers’ feet, even on simple bubble screens. He finished the day 7 for 28.
I have zero faith that he’s be worth taken the chance on.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:43 PM ^
Considering the fact he's terrible and hasn't shown signs of being anything (despite playing in a QB friendly offense). I'd pray Anthony Richardson falls to the 2nd or trade into the bottom of the first to get him.
I understand wanting someone you can stash and redshirt, but I don't think Lance is a starting NFL QB whatsoever. He feels like his ceiling is Josh Dobbs or Dwayne Haskins...floor? Jake Locker or EJ Manuel.
If I'm the Lions, I'm trying to get someone who could sit a couple of years before taking over. Which you don't really see because guys that get taken high get thrown in too quickly and guys taken in the late rounds are going that late for a reason.
But I'm think of a Jalen Hurts type of a situation.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:46 PM ^
To be fair, Lance has attempted a grand total of 102 passes across two seasons in his career. He got hurt almost immediately to start the season this year. I wouldn't say he has proven he is good or bad. He has hardly even attempted 4 weeks worth of passes yet.
January 30th, 2023 at 11:37 PM ^
He has hardly even attempted 4 weeks worth of passes yet.
Isn't that part of the problem? This guy has never played a lot of football so how could he possibly be good at it? You don't develop muscle memory by watching film.
I don't think anyone would place any value on a prototypical left tackle who has only played in a handful of games since high school. Tre Lance is a lottery ticket. There's a chance he could pay off—he might even pay off big—but the odds are low.
January 31st, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
He would have way more NFL experience had he not broken his leg at the start of the season. Although he wasn't perfect in his first game experience he definitely has shown flashes of what is possible. Seems like a perfect candidate to sit behind Goff and learn and get reps.
Go back and look at what Josh Allen did with his first 100 career pass attempts. Spoiler it wasn't impressive at all.
He is definitely a lottery ticket I would like to take a chance on
January 30th, 2023 at 8:55 PM ^
Richardson has bust written all over him. I would stay away from him(and Levis).
January 31st, 2023 at 9:27 AM ^
Levis is the classic David of a body that the NFL falls in love with, but who has a two cent head, and that body can't even be used to hit the broad side of a barn. He has bust written all over him.
January 31st, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
Isn't that kind of the same thing people said about Josh Allen? It cracks me up hearing people claim to know what players will pan out and which ones will bust.
January 31st, 2023 at 12:27 AM ^
It's pretty rare for a QB with skill to "sit a couple years." If they're good enough, they play.
What I'd like to see is someone like Lance (especially for a 3rd or later pick) to just be a true backup plan. Sign Goff for 5-7 years (at hopefully a discount for the trust put in him and to build a team around him) and have another QB that knows the system and you can trust when you need him for a game or two.
Succession plans can come later.
January 31st, 2023 at 1:50 AM ^
If *Kyle Shanahan* doesn't think Lance can play I'm gonna trust his judgement. The dude has a pretty good offensive reputation. And if he thought Lance couldn't play before the draft and subsequent evidence has proven him accurate then no, the Lions should not sign him.
January 31st, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
Maybe, or maybe San Fran is in a “win now” window and need a “win now” QB to capitalize. Lance is probably not that, but the Lions don’t need him to be that. They can bring him along and perhaps develop him into a winner. If nothing else, he’s a change-of-pace guy off the bench.
January 31st, 2023 at 9:07 PM ^
I think that how good Purdy has looked doesn't bode well for Lance.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:28 PM ^
brady is from san mateo, sierra high, bay area. makes perfect sense for him to give it truly one last shot with an otherwise pretty stacked team 49'ers with a defense. get him some O-linemen and hey, you never know.
rumor, rumor, but would make sense.
January 30th, 2023 at 9:17 PM ^
So true XM, I can see SF as the front runner for TB. He definitely needs a decent to dominating oline to succeed. I hope he ends up there.
January 30th, 2023 at 9:22 PM ^
Living in Washington, I’d love to see it. The Seahawks fans would lose their ever loving minds (they hate the 49ers and Tom Brady)
January 31st, 2023 at 9:09 AM ^
Honestly if they get Brady do they really have to trade Lance? Brady sounds like a 1 year rental at QB whereas Lance is the future of the franchise at the position. It doesn't make sense to trade him away yet unless they are completely convinced he isn't going to pan out.
January 31st, 2023 at 9:52 AM ^
You're kind of proving your own point at the end of your statement. If they're shopping him, they don't believe that Lance is the future.
January 31st, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
Right but this whole thing is hypothetical. I think it is far more likely they sign Brady AND keep Lance instead of trading him.
January 31st, 2023 at 12:31 PM ^
They already view Purdy as their future, but his injury puts at least part of 2023 in question for him, which would probably be the only reason they’d consider Brady. They’ll be doing everything they can to trade Lance.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:30 PM ^
If so, they should be set for another 10 years or so.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:38 PM ^
Man, you're a pessimist. :-)
January 30th, 2023 at 9:29 PM ^
Both these comments made me laugh literally out loud… like you two worked on this routine.
January 31st, 2023 at 8:52 AM ^
Even the legendary aura of Tom Brady outshines that of old man Brasky
January 30th, 2023 at 8:31 PM ^
Without looking it up, how long is MacCaffery (sp?) signed for after this year, if at all?
January 30th, 2023 at 8:49 PM ^
He's signed for 3 more seasons.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:37 PM ^
I have to believe there are better options than 78 year old Tom Brady.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:47 PM ^
I think Tom Brady is a good NFL QB, if you make him a system QB.
If you expect him to be Tom Brady...well, you get what you deserve.
But treat Brady like the Lions treat Goff or the Dolphins treated Tua...and I think he can get you to a Super Bowl.
TB fucked up by building the team like they had Tom Brady. They needed to build it like they had Jimmy Garrapolo.
Give Brady a great OL and a running game and he'll be the missing piece.
I'll tell you one thing, you give Brady, Christian McCaffrey and McCaffrey might be NFL MVP.
January 30th, 2023 at 9:03 PM ^
Brady with George Kittle? Get ready for the Gronk comparisons
January 30th, 2023 at 8:58 PM ^
Actually with Kyle coaching and Samuel/Christian on the field Brady is the perfect fit. Trade Lance for a 2nd and draft a couple of lineman on both sides of the ball. Pick up another receiver in the middle of the draft and you’re good to go. San Fran has been so close to a Super Bowl numerous times with numerous injuries to QBs. If Brady is healthy he’s the perfect fit and Purdy can keep working on his craft behind Brady for a year. Tom is exactly what they need to win a Super Bowl.
January 30th, 2023 at 9:29 PM ^
On the somewhat optimistic assumption that he makes it that far.
January 31st, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
Yeah I'm not sure that Tom Brady is better than a full year of a healthy Brock Purdy.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:39 PM ^
An unnamed NFL exec thinks this will happen as reported by a news station based in SF. Might as well be counter strike guy.
January 30th, 2023 at 11:21 PM ^
Not sure how you go from NFL exec predicts to RUMOR yet here we are….
January 30th, 2023 at 8:45 PM ^
Speculation by a random, unnamed NFL exec who may or may not know what he's talking about doesn't rise to the level of "rumor".
January 31st, 2023 at 2:19 PM ^
Rises to the level of "humor"
January 30th, 2023 at 8:47 PM ^
3 QBs 3 season ending injuries and the answer is the oldest QB in the league? I have doubts that’s a winning strategy.
January 31st, 2023 at 8:48 AM ^
I mean it worked for Tampa. We were all saying Brady was old when he went to Tampa and got them a Superbowl year 1. Peyton was old when he went to the broncos and took them to the superbowl year one and won it his last year there.
January 30th, 2023 at 8:47 PM ^
This isn't a rumor. It's a prediction by an anonymous "exec," which is worth about the same as any of ours.
That being said, Tom Brady on the 49ers would be terrifying.
January 30th, 2023 at 9:21 PM ^
I understand what you're saying.
But if KNBR is putting this out they are probably doing it because they know something from the inside, and so they broadcasted it. There is some substance to this, and this is the kick off to what they know from behind the scenes.
Now, how things actually pan out could end up being different than this, say Lance is traded but some QB other than Brady is signed.
What I can take from this is, with how good Purdy did this season, it means Lance is likely not the future of the 49ers, as he didn't play as good as the 3rd string QB who is a rookie and the last pick of the Draft.
January 30th, 2023 at 10:49 PM ^
Did you read the article? It's not even coming from them. They're just summarizing an article from the Athletic that interviewed multiple people around the league to get their opinions on what the team could do. You're reading way into this. They don't even claim it's a rumor or a viable option. The same quote from the exec that says Brady to the Niners says they'd trade Lance to the Titans. The Titans already have Trey Lance. His name is Malik Willis. You're reading too much into this.
January 31st, 2023 at 7:06 AM ^
No where did i say the story is from them. How did you get the idea that i did?
I did say they know there is substabce to it. So they broadcasted it .
January 31st, 2023 at 12:35 PM ^
What they don’t understand is how tied in to the 49ers KNBR is, to the point that they probably wouldn’t talk about something that runs counter to the team’s interests.
January 31st, 2023 at 2:36 PM ^
It could even be that Jed York himself is the unnamed exec.