49ers 'exploring options' for Trey Lance after naming Sam Darnold No. 2 quarterback: report

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The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly "exploring options" for Trey Lance, their No. 3 overall pick two years ago, after veteran quarterback Sam Darnold was named the No. 2 behind Brock Purdy, per NFL Network. 

It was a true quarterback competition for the Niners, where head coach Kyle Shanahan clearly favored Purdy, who is healthy after suffering an elbow injury in the NFC Championship Game in January. But Purdy’s backup was up for grabs. 

The 49ers signed Darnold, who played with the Carolina Panthers last season, this offseason to compete with Lance, who was named the starter to start the 2022 season before injuring his ankle. 

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Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers talks with his quarterbacks Trey Lance #5 and Brock Purdy #13 during work outs in training camp at SAP Performance Facility on Aug. 4, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Both quarterbacks have had similar stat lines in the two preseason games the 49ers played, but it appears San Fran has had their mind made up as The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Lance was being shopped for "much of the offseason." To date, they haven’t received a "significant trade offer."

It’s worth noting that Lance was the third quarterback to play in the team’s second preseason game against the Denver Broncos. He threw an interception on the team’s first possession with him under center, though he finished with a touchdown on 12-of-18 passing. 

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Darnold, however, played most of the first half. He threw for 109 yards