Semi-OT: Would you trade for Trey Lance? [UPDATE: He's been traded to Dallas]

[XLIX]

I think the 49ers are clearly seeing something in practice. I mean, he's been there 2 years. If he was showing any potential he would be #2 on that team at the very worst.

 

[Sect140]

No. He is close to being as big a draft bust than JaMarcus Russell.

Including High School, college and NFL he’s thrown roughly 500 passes, I feel bad for the kid because Lynch should’ve never drafted him with the third overall pick, never mind giving up three first round picks. Best thing that could happen to Lance is to end up on some teams practice squad for the year, if it‘s the Pats practice squad then OK, he can work with BOB this season and the off-season.

I think we will see more of this because teams are desperate to land the next Mahomes.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I wouldn't want that. I'd keep Zappe because I feel like Zappe would be a better and less turnover-prone option than Sam Darnold, who just beat out Lance (also turnover prone) for the job.

If Mac went down and Zappe had to go in, I feel like most of us would be pretty optimistic when it came to their chances. I think if it were Lance or Darnold, we'd be a little more uneasy.

I understand your logic but Zappe really seems to have an unusually hard time with batted balls, which can lead to odd turnovers.

Can’t play QB in the NFL if you can’t get it past the LOS.

 

[Ian]

I understand your logic but Zappe really seems to have an unusually hard time with batted balls, which can lead to odd turnovers.

Can’t play QB in the NFL if you can’t get it past the LOS.

I agree, but at the same time, he's also shown he can at least play in a backup role. And I'd feel better about how he'd handle himself overall coming off the bench compared to someone else.

As for beyond that if they moved on from Mac, I agree his release is an issue and I've mentioned it a few times. But I assume they'd also bring in someone to compete with him.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Trade Zappe for three first round pick and then send a conditional 7th round pick in 2042 for Lance.

I doubt anyone trades for Lance at this point, the pre-season is basically over, no time for him to get the reps that he needs.

 

[mgcolby]

Trade Zappe for three first round pick and then send a conditional 7th round pick in 2042 for Lance.

I doubt anyone trades for Lance at this point, the pre-season is basically over, no time for him to get the reps that he needs.

Not so fast my friend. Never underestimate the ego levels combined with a few too many concussions of some these GMs in the NFL.

Someone will probably do it, either for the headline splash to cover some of the stank of their roster with the locals (like what I did there ) or truly believe they can "fix" him....oh hell...probably both.

 

[Zuma]

 

[rochrist]

Well why can't there be Mac, Zappe and Lance? Would you be against this.? I never said that I'd be willing to trade Zapp.. I agree with you Ian.. but I believe it's a realistic idea the team could explore.

Rather keep Malik.

 

[Toofy]

What confuses me about your opinion, which I'm not knocking, is you give the prime example as to why they would have to pay him. If they don't then the scenario I mentioned comes into play and I don't think that is a viable option or a smart one. So that, IMO, only leaves them one option, pay Mac.

Of course that is assuming, as we both do that Mac will have a bounce back year, and IMO a much better year than his rookie season.

I think Daniel Jones contract is the Zeke contract given to QBs. It is going to reset the market like what else did to the RB market, by lowering salaries for non pro bowl QBs or non top 10 QB to 25-32 million AAV which will be heavily incentive laden.

 

[mgcolby]

I think Daniel Jones contract is the Zeke contract given to QBs. It is going to reset the market like what else did to the RB market, by lowering salaries for non pro bowl QBs or non top 10 QB to 25-32 million AAV which will be heavily incentive laden.

I can see that possibility. But with the substantial increases in the cap year over year, with I believe 2021 being the lone outlier, what seems expensive or even egregious now, in two years will seem like a bargain.

And with the QB position being the most important, and whether people believe the QB pay scale is out of whack or not, I personally don't see it changing or coming back more inline with the compensation based on perceived importance by position any time soon. If ever.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I agree, but at the same time, he's also shown he can at least play in a backup role. And I'd feel better about how he'd handle himself overall coming off the bench compared to someone else.

As for beyond that if they moved on from Mac, I agree his release is an issue and I've mentioned it a few times. But I assume they'd also bring in someone to compete with him.

It really all hinges upon how Mac looks this year doesn’t it.

No more real excuses.

Either he does well enough to earn the 5th year, or he doesn’t.

Worst case scenario is almost that he’s middling because then the decision get’s murky.

 

[Ian]

It really all hinges upon how Mac looks this year doesn’t it.

No more real excuses.

Either he does well enough to earn the 5th year, or he doesn’t.

Worst case scenario is almost that he’s middling because then the decision get’s murky.

It really does. He needs to have a good year, and as I said last week, I also feel like he needs to have a couple of big moments this year. With so many questions beyond 2023, it would be really bad for everybody if quarterback became even more of a question mark again. Zappe's a good player, but this group looks better with both he and Mac as opposed to just him. That 5-of-16 performance Saturday before that 5-of-6 finish was concerning. He should have looked like more of a man among boys out there and he didn't. I get the line was bad, but even with terrible players, Brady certainly never looked like that, even going back to his own preseasons in 2000 and 2001.

 

[TheRainMaker]

It's interesting how people are saying there's no more excuses for Mac Jones at this point? Why? O'Brien isn't exactly an offensive savant, the OL is average at best and the skill players the Pats have aren't good enough. You've seen what Mac has done with some actually talent on the offensive of the ball, but he doesn't have that in NE.

Like 2022, Mac will be the scapegoat if they are under .500 and miss the playoffs.

 

[Toofy]

It really does. He needs to have a good year, and as I said last week, I also feel like he needs to have a couple of big moments this year. With so many questions beyond 2023, it would be really bad for everybody if quarterback became even more of a question mark again. Zappe's a good player, but this group looks better with both he and Mac as opposed to just him. That 5-of-16 performance Saturday before that 5-of-6 finish was concerning. He should have looked like more of a man among boys out there and he didn't. I get the line was bad, but even with terrible players, Brady certainly never looked like that, even going back to his own preseasons in 2000 and 2001.

Mac needs to launch 4th quarter comebacks . Just do your job with 3600 yards / 20 TDs will not work .

I am sure we will pick up his 5th year option . But will he get the extension or will we roll dice with another middling veteran while bolstering defense and offensive line is something we need to see.

Really interested to see how the 49ers model pans out.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

It really does. He needs to have a good year, and as I said last week, I also feel like he needs to have a couple of big moments this year. With so many questions beyond 2023, it would be really bad for everybody if quarterback became even more of a question mark again. Zappe's a good player, but this group looks better with both he and Mac as opposed to just him. That 5-of-16 performance Saturday before that 5-of-6 finish was concerning. He should have looked like more of a man among boys out there and he didn't. I get the line was bad, but even with terrible players, Brady certainly never looked like that, even going back to his own preseasons in 2000 and 2001.

I was just thinking about that after reading an article where it suggested Mac may struggle because “he has no elite weapons”.

I mean…other than the peak Moss years, did TB really ever have elite weapons?

I know the bar is unfair, and you can’t compare anyone to peak Brady BUT I do feel like a quality NFL QB starter shouldn’t need elite weapons to win.

He needs to elevate average ones.

I guess we’ll see.

I have some doubts, but truly hope I’m dead wrong because starting over at QB isn’t a good thing.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

It's interesting how people are saying there's no more excuses for Mac Jones at this point? Why? O'Brien isn't exactly an offensive savant, the OL is average at best and the skill players the Pats have aren't good enough.

Like 2022, Mac will be the scapegoat if they are under .500 and miss the playoffs.

Obrien did pretty well the first time, and his Hou offenses weren’t putrid either.

OL is def an issue, but Mahomes did pretty well for a few years with a TERRIBLE O line.

What I’m saying is that if the expectation is game manager, I’m out on that.

I want a guy who can put the team on his back and win.

If Mac is that….awesome!

If not, move on and find a guy who can.

 

[Ian]

I was just thinking about that after reading an article where it suggested Mac may struggle because “he has no elite weapons”.

I mean…other than the peak Moss years, did TB really ever have elite weapons?

I know the bar is unfair, and you can’t compare anyone to peak Brady BUT I do feel like a quality NFL QB starter shouldn’t need elite weapons to win.

He needs to elevate average ones.

I guess we’ll see.

I have some doubts, but truly hope I’m dead wrong because starting over at QB isn’t a good thing.

I agree. Although at the same time, most of the elite teams, primarily due to how things have changed in the league in recent years, those clubs have playmakers, and those are the teams who are in it in January.

With an elite quarterback, you can make it with lesser talent. But Brady was a once-in-a-generation player, which is why people need to equate Mac with other mid-tier guys and temper their expectations to a certain extent. But where Mac needs to separate himself is to have a couple of moments when he makes a big play in a key moment.

His guys need to believe if they do what they're supposed to, he can also do it. If that happens, they'll play that way. But he'll need to make a big throw or two to convince all the people who turned on him last year that he can help this team take a step forward and get back to being among the top teams in January.

They've got a really good defense. He just needs to make sure the offense holds up its end of the deal.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Obrien did pretty well the first time, and his Hou offenses weren’t putrid either.

Mike McCoy and Adam Gase looked a lot different when they had Peyton Manning. They both looked fairly ordinary without them. That is what O'Brien has shown without Tom Brady which many seem to overlook. Houston's offense were mediocre.

OL is def an issue, but Mahomes did pretty well for a few years with a TERRIBLE O line.

Mac is not Mahomes.

I want a guy who can put the team on his back and win.

If Mac is that….awesome!

If not, move on and find a guy who can.

Like others, you are asking too much of him with the supporting cast Bill has in place. In fact, Tom Brady couldn't even do that in 2019.

 

[scott99]

Im guessing the Vikings get him for a third that can turn to a conditional second.
If Shanny can’t develop him what makes us think we can?

I would say that Lance isn’t the type of QB that matches well with the Shanahan style offense. Mac Jones in the other hand, is tailor made for the Shanny offense.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

RE Trey Lance/SF

SF comment made me think about Lance which made me think about Josh Allen and how “terrible” he was his first few seasons.

Until…he got a great coach who used him well, and let him mature.

Not saying Lance is Allen, but there sure are some similarities…

Including level of college competition, physical stature, arm.