NFL Rumors: 49ers Rookie Can Only Be Starting Quarterback If He Passes Final Test

The San Francisco 49ers are sticking with Jimmy Garoppolo for now as their starting quarterback even with murmurs that rookie Trey Lance will take over at some point.

This is even though the 21-year-old native of Minnesota is doing due diligence in learning the Niners' style of play.

Lance has been taking down notes, studying hard, and responding well to tests being thrown at him.

However, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that actual NFL battles will determine if Lance is ready to be the team’s starting quarterback, NBC Sports Bay Area reported.

“It’s not just knowing it from being able to write it down on the board, and being able to answer any questions and pass any test we give him. He’s been good at that since we got him. He studies real hard in everything. But it’s going in the heat of battle versus NFL defenses and having to react, and get the ball to the right spots, and know where to go,” Shanahan stated.

“That’s really hard to do [for] rookie quarterbacks, and that’s what’s been a big challenge. That’s a big challenge for all rookie quarterbacks because the NFL moves so fast,” he added.

But the reality is that Lance is seen as someone who will eventually be the starting quarterback for the Niners.

It is a debate that has been raging, and the only question right now is when.

According to NFL insider Matt Maiocco when he appeared on the Sports For All PH podcast, that may happen any time between now up to next season.

There are factors to consider. Aside from Lance’s ability to adapt, there is Garoppolo’s performance that is also an indicator.

“It’s just a matter of when they make that decision when to go with Trey Lance over Jimmy Garoppolo. It could be at the start of the season although that’s kind of unlikely. It could be at some point during the season if Garoppolo struggles or the team starts losing some games. It could be at the end of the season,” Maiocco stated.