Report: Vikings, 49ers discussed Trey Lance at NFL Scouting Combine
On Wednesday, it was reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport that the San Francisco 49ers were “receiving calls” for third-year quarterback and former No. 3 pick Trey Lance. While the teams making said calls were not disclosed, the Minnesota Vikings and 49ers discussed Trey Lance at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported Wednesday.
Florio cited that it’s a question of whether those same discussions are happening right now. Plus, you would figure that other teams in need of a quarterback have had fluid internal and external discussions with the San Francisco brain trust regarding Lance, too.
But there’s plenty of reason to believe that the Minnesota Vikings would, too.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has one year left on his contract; Minnesota will need to find a solution for 2024 and beyond sooner rather than later, whether it’s Cousins or someone else. There were previous rumors of a potential Cousins-to-49ers trade, though the Vikings would take on a $38.8 million dead cap hit if they traded Cousins pre-June 1 (compared to $10.3 million post-June 1), according to Over The Cap.
Minnesota is coming off a (shaky) 13-4 campaign, when all but two of their wins came by one score or less. A big part of that was due to Cousins, who totaled an NFL-most eight 4th quarter comebacks. He completed 65.9 percent of his attempts for 4,547 yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Lance only has two more guaranteed years left on his rookie contract, plus a fifth-year option for 2025 that San Francisco — or the team rostering Lance — could either accept or decline by next spring. He’s only played eight games in two seasons, completing 54.9 percent of his passes for 797 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Lance coming off season-ending ankle surgery after suffering a broken ankle in Week 2 of last year, while Brock Purdy is coming off offseason elbow surgery, so San Francisco might not be looking to trade for him anyways.
Minnesota has only five draft picks in 2023 with only two in the top 100, so the Vikings might not be the ideal trade partner for Lance, who’s a Marshall, Minn., native. Though don’t be surprised if it’s one of the few teams in the discussion for Lance — or someone else — by 2024.
Who knows, it might ultimately be the best option for both sides.
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