Trey Lance Next Team Odds: Trey's Days in SF Are Numbered

Selecting quarterbacks in the first round of the NFL draft is not an exact science. 

No matter how much homework a team does on a potential draft pick, there are a ton of variables that can play a part in a player's development (or lack thereof). 

Just ask the Indianapolis Colts if they want a do-over on their 1990 first-overall selection Jeff George. Or if the Raiders want to rethink selecting JaMarcus Russell first overall in a draft that featured Hall of Famers Calvin Johnson (No. 2) and Joe Thomas (No. 3). Oh and some guy named Adrian Peterson was taken at No. 7. 

This brings us to the San Francisco 49ers and their extremely big reach on Trey Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 draft.

The Niners appeared set at QB with a healthy — albeit returning from injury — Jimmy Garoppolo, but the brass wanted a safety net. They traded up with the Miami Dolphins in exchange for their first-round picks in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and their third-round pick in 2022. Most thought that Mac Jones would be the QB of choice, but it just wasn't meant to be. 

Fast forward two seasons, Jimmy G is gone and Trey Lance appears to be out the door in favor of Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold. What? 

This year's Super Bowl odds suggest bettors still believe in what the Niners are doing, but picking Lance will always haunt San Francisco fans given the talent that was available: Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones.

Let's take a look at where Trey Lance could end up in the coming weeks. 

Trey Lance next NFL team odds

Team	Odds
Minnesota Vikings	+300
Atlanta Falcons	+400
Los Angeles Rams	+400
Miami Dolphins	+500
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	+600
Las Vegas Raiders	+900
Green Bay Packers	+1,200
Pittsburgh Steelers	+1,200

Odds as of August 25, 2023

Trey Lance career to date

When the San Francisco 49ers selected Trey Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, many thought it was a reach. Boy, were they right! 

Lance had outstanding numbers in his first full season as the starter for North Dakota State. He led the team to a 16-0 record while throwing for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,110 yards and 14 scores.

Great. Wonderful. Fantastic. 

The problem was Lance was doing it against second-tier college teams in the FCS. While we'll never know what Lance would have been capable of at the FBS level, the 49ers thought they'd seen enough talent in the young QB to draft him at No. 3 and then sign him to a four-year rookie deal worth $34.1 million. Big mistake. 

Lance has started a total of four games for the 49ers, completing 56 of 102 passes for five touchdowns and three interceptions. It's been a disaster. He's never looked comfortable, and the 49ers have never trusted him enough to allow him to at least fight for the starting job. 

Favorites to acquire Trey Lance 

Minnesota Vikings (+300): If the Minnesota Vikings are serious about contending this season, Kirk Cousins does not need another reason to look over his shoulders. The Vikings should not, and likely will not, make this move. The only reason they could is because Cousins is out of contract at the end of the season, and with no real replacement, maybe a homecoming for Lance would make sense. I don't buy it and neither should you. 

Atlanta Falcons (+400): I'm not sure the Atlanta Falcons would pull the trigger on this move considering they have Desmond Ridder starting under center. Full disclosure: that's not a sentence that will make Falcons' fans feel warm and fuzzy, but adding Trey Lance into the mix would just add confusion and nothing else. 

Los Angeles Rams (+400): I don't see the Niners making a deal within the division but with an aging Matthew Stafford and a team with barely enough draft picks to warrant a table, acquiring Lance could give the Rams a pulse once Stafford decides to hang it up. 

Miami Dolphins (+500): You would think the Miami Dolphins would be set with Tua Tagovailoa under center, but with his recent injury issues and the fact that Mike McDaniels was Lance's offensive coordinator in SF before taking the Miami job, the connection may run deeper than you think. Lance wouldn't need to be "the guy" here and he could benefit from the wealth of talent the Dolphins have on offense. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+600): Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask? Pick your poison. Both are on one-year deals and with no sign of righting the proverbial ship anytime soon, acquiring Lance and molding him into what you believe he can be might not be the worst move in the world. It's possible, but unlikely. 

Las Vegas Raiders (+900): Could you imagine Lance following Jimmy Garoppolo to Las Vegas only to supplant him as the starter and lead the Raiders to the promise land. No? Me neither, but it's always good to dream. The purpose of this deal would to once again provide insurance should (read: when) Garoppolo gets injured, but Lance isn't the guy long-term in the black hole. 

Green Bay Packers (+1,200): If the Green Bay Packers acquire Lance, they'll not only tell Jordan Love they don't believe in him (again), but they'll have two quarterbacks with the same skill set. Don't do it, Packers. Don't do it. 

Pittsburgh Steelers (+1,200): This won't happen. Contrary to popular opinion, I like what the Steelers have behind Kenny Pickett. Mitch Trubisky was never given a fair shake and Mason Rudolph looks good holding the clipboard. I'm not sure where Lance would fit in. 

My best bet: Miami Dolphins (+500)

Stay updated with the latest picks, odds, and news! Tap the to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

Pages related to this topic