Kyle Shanahan defends Trey Lance after bizarre touchdown pass in 49ers' preseason opener
Even when Trey Lance throws a touchdown, it invites criticism of the former third overall pick of the 49ers. Lance tossed the Niners' sole touchdown of a 34-7 loss to the Raiders in preseason on Sunday, but his second-quarter score attracted significant scrutiny as a throw over the middle to Chris Conley after a play-action […]
Even when Trey Lance throws a touchdown, it invites criticism of the former third overall pick of the 49ers.
Lance tossed the Niners' sole touchdown of a 34-7 loss to the Raiders in preseason on Sunday, but his second-quarter score attracted significant scrutiny as a throw over the middle to Chris Conley after a play-action bootleg deflected off the hands of Las Vegas' Duke Shelley and into the arms of tight end Ross Dwelley.
Many quickly blamed Lance for putting the ball in danger by not getting it to McCloud earlier, but head coach Kyle Shanahan was quick to push back on such critiques.
Shanahan said of Lance's touchdown throw:
"Made a hell of a play on the touchdown. I know it was almost a hell of a play for them with the pick. But that was the last guy on a bootleg that flashed and he put it on him. And that (Raiders DB) came in and tipped and made a good play, but fortunately Dwelley was there. It was an open hole. I mean, it was nice that he saw it, flipped and went for it. I’m glad that he tried to rip it. It was a tight window. He could put it a little bit more in front of him, but the guy came and made a good play on it and it ended up working out for us."
That clarification of McCloud being the last man in Lance's progression and not the first may absolve the quarterback of blame for that near-interception. However, his overall performance will still likely create more questions about his future with the 49ers.
Lance was uneven throughout. He was sacked three times on his opening three drives in the first half before that scoring drive. Under constant pressure behind an overmatched backup offensive line, Lance struggled to show the decisiveness needed to thrive in the Shanahan offense and should have been intercepted on another throw later in the quarter.
Shanahan may be encouraged by how Lance grew into the game and it is his assessment that will matter most as he decides on the quarterback pecking order behind Brock Purdy.
Yet after a game in which Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen looked much more at ease than San Francisco's former third overall pick, it is fair to wonder whether how many more opportunities he will get to throw touchdowns for the 49ers.
49ers-Raiders: Key Takeaways from San Francisco’s preseason loss
The Niners will want to burn the tape.
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