The San Francisco 49ers traded a lot to get quarterback Trey Lance, but he was never able to unseat Jimmy Garoppolo as the starting quarterback last season, as long as Jimmy G was healthy enough to play. The 49ers reached the NFC Championship Game and nearly beat the Los Angeles Rams with Garoppolo under center, but that was more because of their defense and special teams.

The expectation is Lance will finally take over in 2022, though Garoppolo hasn't been traded yet and is still on the roster. While Jimmy G is still expected to be gone at some point, as long as he's there, questions will remain about Lance's status.

The 49ers youngster tried to shoot down any questions and criticisms about his development in the most respectful fashion possible, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner: 

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“In the most respectful way possible, it doesn't change how I feel about you guys as people, but it's not my job to care what you guys say or anyone else on social media,” Lance said, smiling. “For me, I care about what the guys in the locker room think and what my coaching staff thinks.”

Lance has been the 49ers' quarterback during OTAs and is hoping to enjoy a breakout season, especially now that a troublesome finger injury suffered in the preseason last year is healed. The Garoppolo and Deebo Samuel situations still loom over San Francisco, but the franchise is hoping those will be resolved soon and that Lance won't have many distractions.

The 49ers have a lot invested in Lance, and he's confident he will step up and be the quarterback of the future.