There is yet another transition taking place in Santa Clara, this time from Jimmy Garoppolo, a quarterback who helped guide the 49ers to a Super Bowl just two seasons ago, to rookie Trey Lance. The topic has been discussed at length. When should it happen? How should it happen?
Most of the quarterback discussion is done with an outside perspective. This week, Rice joined the 49ers Talk podcast to share the behind-the-scenes perspective and what a quarterback transition is like for players.
"It's kind of hard to really compare the two [transitions] because Joe [Montana], he was at the top of his game," Rice told Laura Britt. "Then, as Joe got older, and this happened to me too, the team wants to go in a different direction. So, here's Steve Young. We could tell there was something going on but as players, you still try to stay focused and just pay attention to detail, and do what you have to do from your position.
"I'm sure the players know what's happening with Jimmy G and also Trey Lance. Now, can this work by committee with both going back and forth with [the] quarterbacks? It happens. You see it all the time in college."
This isn't college, though, where players' careers can be much shorter than at the professional level. There needs to be more consistency in the NFL for teams to create sustained success, and Rice acknowledged that.
"I'm one of those guys, I always felt like you needed to know exactly who that guy is and that you had to build around that guy," Rice added. "You had to do whatever you had to do to make that individual perform at his best on the football field. Now, Kyle Shanahan, he feels he can go back and forth, and he's the coach of the team. But I always wanted to know exactly who was going to be behind center."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rice below. It begins at about the 36:30 mark.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
George Kittle shares candid thoughts on chasing NFL milestones amid 49ers' tough season
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has recorded three games with at least 100 receiving yards this season, the most by any tight end in 2024. It also marked his 20th career game with 100 or more receiving yards, placing him among an elite group of four tight ends in... -
Kyle Shanahan shares positive Brock Purdy injury news, other 49ers updates
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters via a conference call on Tuesday, providing an injury update on quarterback Brock Purdy. "Brock Purdy had a right elbow contusion with nerve inflammation," Shanahan said. "Most likely going to miss this week... -
Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Lions Week 17 matchup
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Saturday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Here's everything he said. Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. Opening... -
Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Cardinals Week 18 matchup
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Friday's practice as the team prepares for its season finale, a Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Here's everything he said. Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications...