SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Return of the Empire: Trey Lance is the odd man out for the 49ers

Aug 24, 2023, 12:00 PM

Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers works out during training camp at SAP Performance Facility...

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The 49ers bounced back Week 2 of the preseason, deafening the Broncos, 21-20, thanks to the play of quarterback Trey Lance. But less than a week later, the team decided it wasn’t enough.

On the latest edition of the Return of the Empire podcast, Amil Fragoso and Nate Littlefield recap the 49ers’ second preseason game against the Denver Broncos. The guys break down San Francisco’s comeback against the Raiders, how starter Brock Purdy looked in his return to  game action, and who stood out on the the day. Plus, a live reaction to the news that Sam Darnold is the team’s QB2 over Trey Lance this season.

“I mean, it was a hell of a battle. They were neck and neck for a long time but just really over these last ten days we felt Sam started to separate himself,” coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR Wednesday. “We felt he did it in practice consistently and he’s been getting better each day. Trey made it real tight and made it tough. It wasn’t an easy decision for us.”

All that & much more on the Return of the Empire.

Episode 27 - Trottin' out of Denver…
01 hours10 minutes

Topics Discussed:

  • Nate’s thoughts on the 49ers defeating the Broncos
  • Who impressed Week 2 of the preseason?
  • Brock Purdy’s return to the field
  • Why is Purdy able to execute better than the other QBs?
  • Is WR Ronnie Bell a lock to make the roster?
  • Thoughts on Trey Lance’s fourth-quarter comeback
  • Was that best performance of Lance’s young career?
  • Could the rookie linebackers push for a starting spot?
  • Live Reaction to the news of Sam Darnold being named the backup QB

Click here to view the most recent podcast.

The Return of the Empire podcast is a San Francisco 49ers podcast hosted by beat writer Amiliano Fragoso and producer Nate Littlefield for Sactown Sports 1140.

Click here for more episodes of the Return of the Empire podcast.

Newsletter

San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a first down pass during the fourth quarter a...

Amiliano Fragoso

Return of the Empire: Bring on the Dallas Cowboys

In the latest episode of the Return of the Empire podcast, Nate and Amil preview the upcoming matchup between the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys.

1 hour ago

Charvarius Ward #7 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Seat...

Amiliano Fragoso

49ers CB Charvarius Ward added to injury report Wednesday

49ers CB Charvarius Ward is the latest to be added to the injury report Wednesday, dealing with a lingering heel issue.

2 hours ago

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the firs...

Amiliano Fragoso

Aaron Rodgers says he’s a fan of Brock Purdy on recent podcast

QB Brock Purdy has a fan in Aaron Rodgers, with the Jets QB giving very high praise to the young gunslinger on the west coast.

4 hours ago

Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during an NFL football game b...

Joseph Jarosz

Christian McCaffrey named NFC Offensive Player of the Week

The NFL announced San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 4.

7 hours ago

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Josh McDaniels on the sidelines during a 24-17 loss ...

Frankie Cartoscelli

Sean Salisbury thinks the Raiders should not fire Josh McDaniels

Should the Las Vegas Raiders fire head coach Josh McDaniels following the team's disappointing start? Sean Salisbury doesn't think so.

7 hours ago

Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after sacking Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle ...

Amiliano Fragoso

How Arik Armstead is paving his own lane in the social media landscape

Arik Armstead is a man of many talents, starting his own podcast recently. He shared how that came about with Sactown Sports recently.

8 hours ago

Return of the Empire: Trey Lance is the odd man out for the 49ers