titan found their new general manager This week, 49ers executive Ran Carthon was hired as Jon Robinson’s successor. Is it possible they accidentally found their new quarterback too? Shortly after Carson’s hiring was first reported, Trey Lance Published a cryptic message On his Instagram Story, he attached three “fingers crossed” emojis to photos of Carson. The 49ers signal-caller has been sidelined since Week 2 with an injury, and his future in San Francisco is increasingly uncertain thanks to the emergence of rookie Brock Purdy as the team’s season-ending starter.
Lance has sent his best wishes to colleagues and teammates before, and his “prayer” message may have been just that: an expression of hope for Carson’s performance in the 49ers’ front office over the past six years, and he’s done well in Tennessee. But in today’s circumstances, with social media suggesting contract disputes and trade talks could really heat up, some interpreted Lance’s post as a tease that he wanted to follow Carson to the Titans — or more specifically , Carson will take him with him.
Whether or not that was Lance’s intention, it’s not hard to explain that. While the 49ers are almost certainly in no rush to part ways with Lance, who was traded with the No. 3 pick just two years later, the reality is that things have changed for quarterbacks in San Francisco. Even with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo on the verge of free agency, Purdy grabbed the starting job, going 6-0, including the playoffs, as an emergency fill. In fact, barring a divisional breakout or his own injury, Purdy appears to be on the fast track to 2023 as the 49ers’ QB1.
Meanwhile, the Titans may be in the market for a new quarterback — especially a long-term option. With an expensive contract, their current starter, Ryan Tannehill, could be a potential salary cap casualty through trade or release. And their only other QB on a post-2022 contract is third-round pick Malik Willis, who was replaced by Joshua Dobbs late in the season. The Titans’ new general manager Carson was San Francisco’s head of player personnel when the 49ers drafted Lance.
