One NFL writer is proposing that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquire Trey Lance from the San Francisco 49ers in a blockbuster trade. Seth Walder of ESPN proposed the following trade between the 49ers and Buccaneers:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receive: QB Trey Lance, 2024 second-round pick, 2024 sixth-round pick
San Francisco 49ers receive: 2024 second-round pick, 2024 third-round pick
The 49ers drafted Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State. The 23-year-old has thrown for 797 yards and five touchdowns in eight NFL games. He’s also rushed for 235 yards and one touchdown.
“The Bucs aren’t contenders in 2023, so their moves should be focused on saving money and acquiring draft assets,” Walder wrote. “But there’s one exception to that framework: chasing quarterback upside. They might as well use the upcoming 17 games as a testing ground for a potential future QB — even if he’s a long shot. That precisely describes Lance. If there’s a 10% chance that Lance can become a long-term solution for the Bucs, that’s still a lot higher than Baker Mayfield’s chances to be that guy.
NFL NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers & Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updates
“In the event that Lance — who is only 23 years old — pans out, the Bucs would retain control in 2024 for cheap and have the right to exercise Lance’s fifth-year option in 2025. Injuries have limited him to eight games over the two seasons since he was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft, so there is still a lot of unknown to his game.”
The 49ers will be starting Brock Purdy at quarterback this year. Lance could benefit from a change of scenery and he might be able to beat out Baker Mayfield for the Buccaneers’ starting QB spot.
“The 49ers would gain a 2024 third-rounder (while giving back a seventh) and essentially trade up in the second round,” Walder wrote. “(While we don’t know any team’s 2024 draft position yet, that could be a substantial jump given the forecasts for both teams.) This deal arms the Niners with more draft capital for next season while retaining Sam Darnold as their backup signal-caller to Brock Purdy for 2023.”
NFL NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers & Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updates
The 49ers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game last season. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers lost to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Game. NFL legend Tom Brady retired, so Tampa Bay will have a new signal caller under center this season and perhaps the Buccaneers should buy low on Lance.
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