The 49ers drafted Trey Lance in part because of his strength between the ears, and the former third overall pick sounds ready to rely on mental fortitude to get him through what could be a trying season for the young quarterback.

It has been a tumultuous career to this point for Lance. Anointed the quarterback of the future in San Francisco two years ago, he has seen his future with the team grow murkier through circumstances out of his control.

An ankle injury ended what was supposed to be his first full season before it even began in Week 2, preventing him from getting the NFL experience he so badly needed.

Now it is unlikely that experience will come in 2023. Seventh-rounder Brock Purdy’s spectacular emergence in the final five weeks of his rookie year essentially won him the starting role. The last pick in the draft is on track to return from elbow surgery to assume that job, leaving Lance facing the prospect of battling with Sam Darnold to be his backup.

Lance, though, appears anything but downhearted about his coming campaign.

Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area at Tight End University, where he and Darnold were among those throwing, Lance gave the impression of a man relishing the new season.

“I’m in a great spot physically, mentally and just excited for this year,” said Lance.

“I like to play. That’s why I came here, so it’s definitely hard when I don’t get that opportunity, and last year was part of it. Just a bump in the road and I’ll be better for it.”

Lance referring to his mental readiness is just as important as his recovery not only from the ankle injury, but from the finger issue that hindered him when on the field as a rookie and impacted his preparations for 2022.

The smart money says Lance will, at least immediately, not get the chance to play. Draft status means little to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan once his players get on the field, but playing behind the final pick of last year’s draft may still be difficult for Lance to come to terms with.

He will need to put any thoughts about that situation to one side and stay in a mindset where he is ready to take the field at any point. 

Last season, the 49ers suffered injuries to each of the three quarterbacks on the depth chart at the start of the campaign, Purdy’s torn elbow ligament leaving them in the desperate position of playing fourth-stringer Josh Johnson in the NFC Championship Game.

After ending that game with no healthy recognized signal-caller following Johnson’s concussion, the 49ers perhaps more than any other team need three mentally prepared quarterbacks in the physical shape to withstand the rigours of playing the position.

With Darnold joining Lance and Purdy, the Niners believe they have three quarterbacks with whom they can win.

The long-term physical availability of Purdy and Lance is in doubt. However, having selected him in part because of his intangibles, Lance’s recent comments should boost confidence he has the resolve to play second fiddle to Purdy, win a competition with Darnold and be ready to excel in the event the 49ers are once again dealing with injuries at the game’s most important position.

49ers: NFL expert raises big question about Trey Lance’s future

Tyler Browning views a recent article from the Athletic which points to a grim future for a former top five overall pick

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