49ers' Trey Lance Wants Opportunity to Compete amid Jimmy Garoppolo, Brock Purdy Buzz

The San Francisco 49ers appeared to make Trey Lance the franchise quarterback when they traded up to select him with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft, but his future is now somewhat uncertain after injuries limited him to just four starts in his first two years.

He addressed that future and an impending quarterback battle with Brock Purdy during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show (h/t David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone).

"It wasn't a situation, and I wouldn't want it to be that way," Lance said when asked if head coach Kyle Shanahan assured him he is still the top quarterback. "Brock played way too well, and Brock played at such a high level and handled himself the right way. I wouldn't want it to be a situation where I'm just handed something. And I feel horrible, obviously, Brock for his injury.

"But for me, I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Whether it's his, he's going to be better for it. Mine, I'm going to be better for it. And I'm excited to just get on the field and compete. That's all I want an opportunity to do."

With Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo already sidelined because of injuries they suffered in the regular season, Purdy suffered a UCL injury during the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He had to re-enter the game after backup Josh Johnson suffered a concussion, but he could barely throw.

His health is also a question, as is Lance's after he suffered a season-ending broken ankle in Week 2.

Shanahan notably told reporters he doesn't "see any scenario" of Garoppolo returning, so Lance may only have to worry about Purdy when it comes to the quarterback battle.