After a 2020 season filled with injuries and poor performance, the 49ers were a shell of the team that made the Super Bowl the year prior. After making a massive trade to acquire Trey Lance, the heir apparent to San Francisco’s QB spot, the future’s looking good for this franchise. With one of the best defenses in the league, and a QB that has the potential to be amazing this team could have a Super Bowl appearance and win sooner rather than later.
A Horrendous 2020
Led by Nick Mullens after Jimmy Garoppolo went down with an injury against the Jets in week hope seemed to be lost for the season. George Kittle and Nick Bosa headlinded the 22 players that were sidelined for the 49ers. The 2020 season was full of disaster after disaster, and the only silver lining was the 12th pick in the draft. 2020 was pretty much a wasted season, they had hopes of a deep playoff run and establishing Jimmy G as the franchise QB going forward. Instead, the team has had a massive change of direction after this crazy year. It doesn’t look like this is Garoppolo’s team anymore, and the team is being forced to balance their future and 2021 hopes. Last season changed the entire trajectory of the franchise, and it will take time to figure out if the 2020 season was a blessing or a curse.
A New Hope
Trey Lance. San Francisco has pushed all their eggs into one basket. Jimmy G is a placeholder for the eventual Trey Lance era. Lance brings every tool that could be wanted in an NFL QB. His arm strength is crazy, he is a mobile QB, and can create outside of the problem. The reason that the 49ers were able to get him 3rd overall was because he is a raw talent. Coming out of NDSU, one of the best teams at the FCS level, Lance has faced little competition. He never went against Alabama, Clemson, or even any Power Five schools. This is why Jimmy G is still around, and why Lance might be the biggest mistake the 49ers make. It is up to San Francisco to put the best possible team around Lance, and it seems like they have done just that. Their offensive line is solid, they have weapons across the field, the committee running game has been strong every season, and the defense is stifling. Now we are going to see how good of a football player Lance can become, and how Kyle Shanahan will develop and use his new QB.
Top Image: Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group