San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance spoke with reporters after training camp practice today. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
What's been your focus as camp has gone on here? What have you tried to hone in on?
"Just continuing to get more familiar with my teammates, the offense, you know, being around, being in different situations. And yeah, just continuing to learn as much as I can."
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel just said you've never play-called in a stadium with fans before. How excited are you?
"Super excited. Yeah, I haven't played in front of fans obviously since, you know, the National Championship in 2019. So that was, you know, over two years ago. So I'm very excited to have another opportunity to be in a game."
When you're getting flushed out of the pocket like you did a lot today, you're keeping your eyes downfield more than you're taking off running. What are you seeing when you're doing that?
"I think it's kind of just like a feel thing. When you get out, obviously you want to keep my eyes downfield and get the ball in the hands of the playmakers, those guys that are much faster and more dynamic than I am. But at the same time trying to pick up the first down and move the chains is what it's all about."
There were a couple of situational drills that didn't go the way they were supposed to yesterday, six seconds, eight seconds, that Kyle was a little upset with. What did he tell you about those and then how do you sort of take criticism?
"I mean, yeah, obviously it didn't go as well as I would've liked. And it's kind of like a no brainer situation. Like everyone knew that I didn't make the right decision with the ball. So yeah, just continuing to learn as much as I can from those situations. And I'm thankful that we'll get to do that drill again."
On the whole, how would you evaluate how you've played throughout camp so far?
"I thought it's been going pretty well. I've gotten to learn a lot, which I've really enjoyed. And like I said, just being able to be around my teammates and be in this organization, this locker room has been something that's really, really special."
There's a lot of talk about mobile quarterbacks and the balancing you strike between using their legs as a crutch versus using it as an asset when you absolutely need to. When you're going through practice and camp, how do you sort of find that balance in terms of when I need to leave the pocket versus, you know when I should keep my eyes up and try to find somebody downfield?
"Yeah, again, I think it's just a feel thing. Just getting in and out of the pocket and trying to make plays and keep my eyes downfield. It's kind of something that just comes within the play. It's not really something that I'm, you know, in the huddle or breaking, catching the snap, thinking about which way I'm going to get out. It's kind of just whatever happens within that play."
How do you think you're doing in that regard in terms of making the right decision? Are you leaving opportunities out there in the passing game or how do you evaluate it when you look at the tape?
"I definitely haven't been perfect in any situation, any setting throughout camp. But I'm continuing to learn and just get more familiar with coach Shanahan's offense and the situations that he wants to put me in."
Coaches will say that you're going to make mistakes. It's inevitable. Have you found that you're making different mistakes and not repeating the same errors?
"Yeah, I think that just comes with learning the offense and continuing to get more familiar with the guys in different situations. Like I mentioned, it's just a feel thing and like you said, try not to make the same mistake twice is definitely something that I focused on."
You mentioned that you never called plays in a stadium with fans before. How many things have you done here that have been brand new?
"The headset, you know, in the helmet is obviously new. We don't have that in college football. So I think that's been the biggest thing I think that's new for sure."
How are you doing with the handoff fluidity with the running backs? We talked about that last time, some of the read options after the fumbles. Are you feeling more comfortable?
"Yeah, for sure. I mean, it comes with reps. One ball on the ground is too many. And I take the blame for any quarterback-center exchange or quarterback-running back, exchange that's on me. If I don't get them the ball or keep the ball at the end of the day, that's on the quarterback. So I've definitely got to be better but at the same time, definitely feel a lot more comfortable with it now."
What happened with the snap that hit you in the chest today?
"It was my fault breaking the huddle. It was a cadence thing. Miscommunication."
You talked about after you were drafted, like, okay, it was surreal, but it's not surreal anymore, it's over, I'm in the NFL. I guess you wouldn't know, but you think you'll be more excited, nerves, in general before you go out and play on Saturday?
"Oh, super excited. Yes. Excited to go out and compete with this locker room of guys. And kind of at the same time, everything's new, like you said. So just being able to get used to everything, everything from the hotel the night before the game to pregame warmup. Everything's going to be new, but at the same time football is football. So I feel I can do everything I can do it feel as prepared as I can on Saturday."
It seems like you developed some trust with WR Trent Sherfield. What does he do well?
"Everything. He's in the right spot at the right time. He doesn't bust. He's on his assignment at all times. And he's, you know, the first guy in last guy out type of guy."
We were talking to TE George Kittle at the start of camp there were a couple plays where you underthrew him slightly. Are you surprised by how fast George is?
"He can move for sure. All the tight ends. This is a special group. And just, you know, another weapon in this locker room that's fun to have."
What's it like to be a young guy in a locker room where George Kittle is a leader and a team captain?
"Oh, it's a ton of fun. This locker room especially, we've got a lot of guys that are leaders and a lot of guys that I look up to and learn a lot from."
How will it be to play in a real game setting given you haven't played in a long time?
"I take it the same way as I took games, you know, the last game I played in. Like I said, football is kind of football, new offense, new locker room, everything like that, but just super excited to be able to compete with these guys."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told us the other day you are going to play this year, at least situationally. Are there things you can do right now? And what are you doing in terms of just kind of staying ready in case of that, since that situation comes up of, hey, you've got to be ready to go in at a moment's notice?
"Just staying ready. You know, obviously taking every rep like it's a game. Same thing all the other quarterbacks are doing in the room. Being locked in in meetings, things like that. It's just playing football, being in training camp, that's just kind of how it goes."
Had he told you that before? Has he told you you were getting into a game this year and it's just a matter of figuring out what your role is going to be?
"No. We really haven't had any conversations about even this Saturday's game. It's pretty focused on training camp and getting better in every meeting and every practice."
Have you ever met Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes before and if not, are you eager to say hi?
"No, I never have."
Will you say hi to him?
"I don't know. I guess we'll see what happens. I'm kind of trying to win the game."
