When it comes to discussing a crowded San Francisco 49ers quarterback depth chart where you can make a case for both guys starting, there are perhaps no better experts on the subject than Joe Montana and Steve Young.
Montana won four Super Bowls with the Niners, two of which he was backed up by Young. Despite Montana’s unqualified success, many wondered when Young would get his chance to shine. That eventually happened in 1993 when Montana left and Young would go on to win a Super Bowl of his own a few years later.
It’s been a long time since the 49ers won a Super Bowl, but they did have a winning quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo who took them to a Super Bowl and two NFC Championship Games. However, the franchise decidedly moved on from him in favor of Trey Lance this year, though Garoppolo remains on the roster as the highest-paid backup in the NFL. The whole situation has featured a lot of rumors and reports about how both quarterbacks feel about things and most of them aren’t too positive.
For his part, Montana thinks it’s a good thing that Jimmy G is still there, in case Lance can’t get it done.
“I think it’s good that they brought him back,” Montana said. “Yeah, they moved on, but they also know that they can win with Jimmy, at least to a point. It gives them an option if Trey isn’t getting it done.”
Lance looked rough in the season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears, going 13-of-28 for 164 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception, though terrible weather played a huge role in the game’s outcome.
Meanwhile, Young thinks the pressure is on Lance to succeed and it doesn’t matter whether or not Garppolo is waiting in the wings.
“Jimmy being there does not change the job,” Young said. “Jimmy’s been fired (with a 31-14 record as the Niners’ starter). Kyle could not speak more forcefully that he does not want Jimmy to be his starter. If Jimmy is hanging around and your psyche is such that it causes you grief, you’re not gonna make it anyway.”
Don’t think Young is rooting against Lance, the two formed a bond during the offseason in the hopes of helping the young QB along.
Ultimately, it’s up to Lance to prove the doubters wrong and prove the 49ers right for sticking with him. If he can’t get the job done, it’s not Garoppolo’s fault, though the former starter would undoubtedly love to take that job back if called upon.
[SF Chronicle, LBS]
