49ers Say There Isn't A QB Competition. Sure, Jan

There's no quarterback controversy in San Francisco, Trey Lance just takes snaps when the team needs to score.

Sunday night against the Packers, 49ers starter Jimmy Garoppolo was sent to the sidelines in favor of Lance who immediately sprung free for a touchdown, providing San Francisco a fighter's chance after trailing 17-0. Despite the extra juice Lance brings to the offense, the Niners have no plans to make a change under center. "Trey’s our backup QB," said head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Lance, taking his first and only snap since Week One, entered the eventual loss to the Packers with :02 remaining in the first half and immediately found pay dirt. After the one-yard scamper, Lance returned to the bench. Garoppolo finished the evening with 257 yards passing, two touchdowns and a pick.

"Trey’s our backup QB. This isn’t the preseason," Shanahan told reporters. "We aren’t going back and forth the whole time. There’s not a big decision going into any week. We put in a game plan for the starting QB, and the backup needs to be able to do all that if hurt.”

“It’s not a QB battle right now," added Shanahan. "We’re going with our starting quarterback right now.”



That doesn't mean Shanahan won't get the urge to pull the ripcord and make the swap from Jimmy G to Lance eventually. Garoppolo's season stat line looks solid: 760 yards, four air strikes, and a pick. But like a tranny from behind, looks can be deceiving. San Francisco's offense has struggled with consistency and a 41-point outing versus Detroit in the season opener appears to be fool's gold.

The quarterback competition started the minute San Fran traded up to No. 3 to select Lance. Despite what the team would like you to believe, you don't need to stare at Big Ben to notice the clock is ticking on Garoppolo's job.