Tight end George Kittle has been impressed by the strides that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance has made this offseason.
"Trey Lance has taken steps forward," Kittle said of the third-year player on Tuesday morning during an appearance on NFL Network's Good Morning Football. "I think he's more than suitable to play quarterback for us. He had some great reps at OTAs (organized team activities)."
Speaking with Sports Illustrated, the tight end made it clear that Lance is a starting-caliber quarterback. It's just that San Francisco is in a unique situation of having multiple capable quarterbacks.
"Trey is a starter in the NFL," Kittle said. "He will be. Get that guy some reps. He has an incredibly high ceiling. Brock Purdy won eight straight games, got hurt. It's just Brock's job to lose at that point."
Lance entered last season as the 49ers' starting quarterback but suffered a season-ending ankle injury two games in. An injury to Jimmy Garoppolo later in the season thrust Purdy, then a rookie, into the starting lineup. Purdy started eight games before suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow during the NFC Championship Game.
The 49ers remain hopeful that Purdy will be healthy in time for the start of the upcoming season. Once ready, the job will likely be his. Until then, Lance and Sam Darnold will compete for the QB2 job, gaining valuable offseason practice reps.
Kittle added, "I think that Trey is definitely a starting quarterback. Like I said, he just needs reps. That's all it is."