Lynch: 49ers not shopping Lance

General manager John Lynch clarified Monday that the San Francisco 49ers aren't actively trying to trade quarterback Trey Lance.

"I think there's a lot of smoke, really, and that it hasn't been extremely active," Lynch said Monday, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "And it's not like we've put it out there that, hey, we're taking offers for Trey, call 1-800. It's not been the process. People's job in this is to ask questions. Has that happened on a couple occasions? Sure. But it hasn't been that substantive."

"We're excited about Trey's ability to compete and what he can do for our franchise just as we were when we drafted Trey," Lynch added.

It was reported last week that the 49ers received calls regarding Lance's availability. Despite the interest, a trade was not deemed imminent.

Things haven't gone according to plan since San Francisco traded multiple picks to acquire Lance with the No. 3 selection in the 2021 draft. He began 2022 as the starter but was lost for the season following an ankle injury in Week 2.

Following an injury to veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, the Niners appeared to find stable footing with rookie Brock Purdy. The seventh-rounder posted a 5-0 record as the starter and led San Francisco to the NFC Championship Game.

With Purdy recently undergoing surgery on his right elbow, Lynch admits the team would need a substantial offer to consider parting with Lance and envisions the 22-year-old being on the roster in 2023. The 49ers' depth chart also includes Sam Darnold.

Lance passed for 797 yards and five touchdowns and posted an 84.5 quarterback rating in eight games across his first two seasons.

Lynch said he's spoken with Lance and assures the young passer is focused on competing as he returns from injury. "I think that's exactly where his mindset should be," the GM said.

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